A Method to Measure Hydrogen Binding Energy in Microstructure of Face-Centered-Cubic Metallic

This technology provides a method to more accurately evaluate hydrogen binding energy in face-centered-cubic (FCC) metals, which are widely used in energy and structural applications. Traditional thermal desorption techniques often produce ambiguous results in these materials, limiting their usefulness for alloy design. The ORNL-developed method overcomes this barrier by clarifying how hydrogen interacts with specific microstructural features. This improved understanding can help industries mitigate hydrogen embrittlement risks, enhance materials for hydrogen storage and transport, and extend the safe use of alloys in demanding energy environments.

Description 

Hydrogen embrittlement presents a critical barrier to safe and efficient hydrogen-based energy systems. FCC metals, including stainless steels and superalloys, are particularly challenging to study because hydrogen atoms diffuse slowly within their crystal structure, leading to convoluted results when measured using conventional thermal desorption spectroscopy. ORNL researchers have developed a microstructure-informed approach that combines experimental testing with advanced modeling to deconvolute hydrogen desorption spectra. This method allows researchers to distinguish how hydrogen is retained, released, and transported through key microstructural sites, such as grain boundaries, that strongly influence alloy performance. By enabling clearer evaluation of hydrogen binding energies in FCC alloys, this approach provides insight into material behavior that was previously inaccessible through standard testing. The result is a powerful framework for designing alloys that are more resistant to hydrogen damage and better suited for use in next-generation energy infrastructure.

Benefits

• Faster qualification for FCC alloys down-selection for hydrogen service condition.
• Reduced prototype/testing cost by replacing build–heat-treat–test iteration
• Providing manufacturing microstructure targets of acceptance windows for hydrogen-resistance material

Applications and Industries

• Hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure
• Nuclear fusion and advanced energy systems
• Aerospace and automotive materials
• Industrial alloys for harsh environments

Contact

To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.