Research Status of Tribology of Hydrogen-Related Mechanical Components

Hydrogen as a clean, efficient and sustainable energy carrier plays a central role in future energy supply as well as mechanical systems. The research focus is on hydrogen as a fuel for vehicle and aircraft dynamics system in the present. Chemical and tribo-chemical reactions occur in the processes at the contacting surface, which causes a set of damage to machine parts. The hydrogen induced fatigue, wear and corrosion failure have been proven to strongly affect the stability, reliability and safety of mechanical power components. A number of projects dealing with the influence of hydrogen on the tribological properties of friction couples have been carried out. This paper reports the tribological properties and failing mechanism of polymer-based materials, ceramic-based materials, metal-based materials, and low dimensional nanomaterials in hydrogen. Tribological behavior of materials under the synergistic effect of hydrogen and other factors has been explained. Key technologies and protective materials for hydrogen damage suppression are proposed in terms of Tribology. Furthermore, the safety of mechanical components related to hydrogen has prospected.