New Techniques for Measuring Low Levels of Hydrogen or Hydrogen Bearing Materials in Solids

Three new nondestructive techniques for detecting ppm levels of hydrogen in metals and solids are discussed, along with a review of existing techniques. Two of the new techniques use neutron beams to detect hydrogen. One of these is applicable to steel samples on the order of 1-5 cm in dimension, and has a lower level of detection of 2 weight ppm. The second nuclear technique is applicable to any metal or solid with a mass number greater than about 12, is most suitable for samples on the order of a few millimeters thick, and has a lower level of sensitivity of 0.4 weight ppm. The third technique uses a modulated beam mass spectrometry system, can handle samples up to 100 grams of any size (as long as the sample can be heated uniformly) and has a sensitivity of less than 0.02 weight ppm. Suggestions for possible applications of these techniques are discussed