Design of hydrogen-resistant nickel alloys

F. Tancret, I. Braems, L. Couturier, E. Bertrand

This research, initiated as a collaboration with the University of Cambridge, are undertaken within the frame of ANR project Cadohrs (Computer-Aided Design of Hydrogen-Resistant Superalloys), notably through the PhD studentship of Aman Prasad (2020-2023) and the postdoc of Ranim Mohamad (2020-2021). It aims at designing nickel alloys that are resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, via an understanding, through the study of model alloys and ab initio simulation, of the influence of composition on the embrittlement of the matrix and on hydrogen trapping by precipitates.

Keywords: Superalloys, corrosion, strength, nuclear, oil & gas

 

Transmission electron micrograph (left) and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis map (middle) of a nickel alloy designed to contain vanadium carbides. Right: thermal desorption spectroscopy of hydrogen-precharged alloys, showing efficient hydrogen trapping in different precipitation-treated states containing MC carbides (blue, black and green curves) compared to the solution-treated state not containing carbides (red curve)

 

Collaborations

. Laboratoire des Sciences du Numérique de Nantes (LS2N) – Université de Nantes
. Laboratoire Georges Friedel (LGF) – Mines Saint-Étienne