Hierarchical channel morphology in O-rings after two cycling exposures to 70 MPa hydrogen gas: a case study of sealing failure.
Sci Rep
; 14(1): 5319, 2024 Mar 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38438433
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of high-pressure hydrogen gas exposure on the structural and morphological characteristics of O-ring materials. O-ring specimens undergo two cycles of sealing under 70 MPa hydrogen gas, and their resulting variations are examined using advanced characterization techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our findings reveal that the lattice parameters of the O-ring material show no significant changes when exposed to 70 MPa hydrogen gas. However, in the micrometre range, the formation of a hierarchical channel morphology becomes evident. This morphology is accompanied by the separation of carbon black filler from the rubber matrix, contributing to mechanical weakening of the O-ring. These observations can be attributed to the pressure gradient that develops between the inner and outer radii of the O-ring, resulting from compression forces acting perpendicularly to the radial direction due to clamp locking.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article