Material Selection of 316 Stainless Steel for High-Pressure Hydrogen Systems

Selecting materials for high-pressure hydrogen systems requires balancing technical understanding of hydrogen embrittlement and business considerations. While the direct effect of hydrogen on materials is usually manifested as ductility loss under tension stress, the most concerning failure in a hydrogen system is fatigue. Although no material is immune to property degradation caused by hydrogen, Type 316 stainless steel is among the best in resisting hydrogen embrittlement.