Adaptación de una máquina de fatiga por flexión rotativa para la estimación de la resistencia a la fragilización por hidrógeno en materiales metálicos

Abstract

We live in a society whose energy model, based on fossil fuels, is economically and environmentally unsustainable. Consequently, there is clearly a need to find new energy alternatives. Many experts are already talking about the called "hydrogen economy". While it is true that hydrogen could be a solution as an energy vector, we must face the challenges of its production, storage and distribution. The biggest difficulty lies in the choice of materials, because they operate at high pressure in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. This fact generates challenges for materials such as steel, the main component of type 1 hydrogen storage vessels, whose brittleness increases considerably as a result of H2 diffusion. There is currently a lack of in-situ embrittlement rotary bending fatigue tests due to the absence of testing machines adapted to this capability. The aim of this study is to design, manufacture and validate the adaptation of a rotary bending fatigue machine integrating an electrochemical cell for testing under in-situ hydrogen embrittlement. The challenge lies in establishing the cell in a dynamic test up to 5000 rev/min.