Hydrogen Determination in Reactive and Refractory Metals*

Significance of the Topic

Titanium alloys are valued for their high strength low density and corrosion resistance making them essential in aerospace medical military and sporting goods applications
Precise control of hydrogen content is critical as excess hydrogen leads to hydride formation embrittlement and potential failure under stress

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note describes the procedure and performance of hydrogen determination in reactive and refractory metals using the LECO RHEN600 and RHEN602 hydrogen determinators
The note aims to demonstrate method reliability accuracy and adaptability across solid powder and chip samples

Methodology and Instrumentation

The method is based on combustion in an electrode furnace under an argon carrier stream followed by thermal conductivity detection

• Instrument LECO RHEN600 RHEN602
• Method reference ASTM E1447
• Sampling Solid samples sectioned by shearing surfaces abraded and cleaned with acetone
• Accessories Graphite crucibles tin pellets tin capsules and a loading funnel
• Calibration Using certified titanium and refractory metal reference materials

Sample analysis includes blank determination calibration drift correction and routine analysis in semi automatic and manual top load modes

Main Results and Discussion

• Solid titanium samples showed an average hydrogen level of 42.3 ppm with a standard deviation of 0.87 ppm indicating high precision
• Tantalum powder in tin capsules yielded an average of 191 ppm hydrogen s 5.3 ppm confirming suitability for higher hydrogen matrices
• Manual top load analysis of titanium chip samples produced 58.7 ppm hydrogen with s 3.0 ppm demonstrating method flexibility

Results confirm the method provides reproducible hydrogen determinations across diverse reactive and refractory metal types

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid semi automatic analysis supports quality control in aerospace medical and military production
• Capability to distinguish surface and bulk hydrogen with the RHEN602 enhances material evaluation
• Adaptation to powder chip and solid forms reduces sample preparation bottlenecks

Future Trends and Potential Uses

• Integration with automated sample handling systems for higher throughput
• Advances in furnace materials for lower blank levels and improved detection limits
• Implementation of real time data analytics for process monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Extension of the technique to simultaneous determination of other light elements such as nitrogen and oxygen

Conclusion

The LECO RHEN600 and RHEN602 determinators deliver accurate precise and versatile hydrogen analysis for reactive and refractory metals ensuring compliance with strict quality standards and supporting critical industrial applications

References

• ASTM E1447 Standard Test Method for Hydrogen in Titanium and Titanium Alloys