Abstract:
Objective The aim is to study the change laws in mechanical properties of X70 pipeline steel and its welds in hydrogen-containing environments for natural gas pipelines, and determine their adaptability in hydrogen-blended natural gas environments.
Method Toughness testing, slow strain rate tensile testing, and fatigue crack propagation rate testing were conducted on X70 pipeline steel and its welds in a mixed natural gas transportation environment with a total pressure of 4 MPa and 10% hydrogen gas. Its adaptability was determined through comparative analysis of mechanical property changes.
Result Compared with a pure natural gas environment, in a hydrogen-blended natural gas environment, the tensile strength, plasticity, and impact performance of X70 pipeline steel and welds did not significantly decrease, while the fatigue crack propagation rate increased by about an order of magnitude.
Conclusion X70 pipeline steel may have a hydrogen embrittlement risk in a hydrogen-blended natural gas environment.