The Influence of Hydrogen on the Elastic Modulus of 316L and XM-19 Austenitic Stainless Steels Available to Purchase

Elastic modulus of 316L and XM-19 austenitic stainless steel was characterized before and after hydrogen charging using impulse excitation. Four coupons of each alloy were subsequently charged at 300 C and 138 MPa for 13 days with gaseous hydrogen to ensure an equilibrium concentration of hydrogen was achieved. Elastic modulus was re-characterized after charging. In 316L, the elastic modulus increased by 0.28% (0.546 GPa) on average on three of the samples, while one sample did not show a significant change. In XM-19, the elastic modulus increased by 0.38% (0.734 GPa) on average. The increase in both XM-19 test coupons and three 316L test coupons was statistically significant, while the increase in the other 316L test coupon was not.