Modeling of Hydrogen Diffusion in Piled Slabs

Hydrogen is harmful in steel which makes it important to reduce the hydrogen content. Piling slabs after casting gives a slow cooling which increases the diffusion out of the steel. Finite element modeling has been used to simulate this process where hydrogen solubility and phase dependent diffusivity can be taken into account. The hydrogen diffusion model is using STEELTEMP® 2D for the thermal analysis. Measurements of temperature and hydrogen content in piled slabs have been done and the calculations are in good agreement.