Shunichiro Doi

Tribological Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steel in Pressurized Hydrogen Up to 40 MPa

The tribological properties of austenitic stainless steel (JIS SUS316L) were studied in pressurized hydrogen, i.e. 0.3, 10 and 40 MPa. The coefficient of friction was small under all the conditions tested in this study by comparison with data obtained previously at the standard hydrogen pressure (0.1MPa). The specific wear rates decreased with an increase in the atmospheric hydrogen pressure.Copyright

Tribological Characterization of Polymeric Sealing Materials in High Pressure Hydrogen Gas

Bearings and seals used in fuel cell vehicles and related hydrogen infrastructures are operating in pressurized gaseous hydrogen. However, there is a paucity of available data about the friction and wear behavior of materials in high pressure hydrogen gas. In this study, authors developed a pin-on-disk type apparatus enclosed in a high pressure vessel and characterized tribological behavior of polymeric sealing materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based composites, in gaseous hydrogen pressurized up to 40 MPa. As a result, the friction coefficient between graphite filled PTFE and austenitic stainless steel in 40 MPa hydrogen gas became lower compared with the friction in helium gas at the same pressure. The chemical composition of worn surfaces was analyzed by using X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) after the wear test. Results of the chemical analysis indicated that there were several differences in chemical compositions of polymer transfer film formed on the stainless disk surface between high pressure hydrogen environment and high pressure helium environment. In addition, the reduction of surface oxide layer of stainless steel was more significant in high pressure hydrogen gas. These particular effects of the pressurized hydrogen gas on the chemical condition of sliding surfaces might be responsible for the tribological characteristics in the high pressure hydrogen environment.Copyright

Effects of high pressure hydrogen on wear of PTFE and PTFE composite

Machine components in the fuel cell vehicle and related hydrogen infrastructures are operating within high pressure hydrogen gas. Especially, polymer seals used in gas compressors and regulator valves should be articulating against their metal counter face in pressurized hydrogen gas. However, the effect of high pressure hydrogen gas on tribological behavior of sliding surfaces has not been identified yet. In this study, effects of the pressurized hydrogen gas environment on wear behavior of polymeric sealing materials were examined by exposing polymer specimens and their sliding counterface to the high pressure hydrogen gas prior to the wear test. Unfilled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and 15% graphite filled PTFE were tested as representative polymer sealing materials and 316L austenitic stainless steel was used as a sliding counterface. Results of X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) analysis of the exposed stainless surface indicated that metal oxides in the surface passive layer of 316L stainless steel could be reduced to some extent by high pressure hydrogen. Increased metal contents of the stainless surface enhanced the development of polymer transfer film and consequently lower the specific wear rate of PTFE and PTFE composites.Copyright