Chris San Marchi

Biography

Dr. Chris San Marchi is a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore CA. Chris and his colleagues are studying the interactions between hydrogen and materials, unraveling the complex nature of hydrogen’s effects on the performance of structural materials, a collection of phenomena commonly referred to as gaseous hydrogen embrittlement. Chris has co-authored over 100 conference and journal publications and several book chapters, providing the scientific and engineering basis for hydrogen-related codes and standards both domestically and internationally, including contributions to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and CSA International. Additionally, Chris is the Sandia Principal Investigator for the Hydrogen Materials Compatibility Consortium (H-Mat) and the Pipeline Blending CRADA (a DOE HyBlend^TM project), a multi-laboratory partnership with industry exploring the implications of hydrogen in natural gas infrastructure. Chris has also made important contributions to the literature on structure-property relationships of advanced materials, such as additively manufactured metals, metal matrix composites, and metallic foams.

Selected Publications

A. Stubbers, B.P. Rocky, C. Gilleland, R. Shrestha, C. San Marchi, R.P. Wilderson, G.B. Thompson, C.R. Weinberger: “Hydrogen embrittlement and mechanical response of 304L steel with ZrC additions” Mater Sci Eng A955 (2026) 149824.

D.M. Oliveira, C.W. San Marchi, E.P. George, A, Nahin, M. Zhang, J.C. Gibeling: “Influence of hydrogen on the low cycle fatigue behavior of the equiatomic CrMnFeCoNi high entropy alloy” Intern J Fatigue 205 (2026) 109414.

X.W. Zhou, F.D. Leon-Cazares, A.T. Ta, C. San Marchi: “Interplay between hydrogen, temperature, and character angle on dissociated dislocation energies in Fe-Ni-Cr austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 179 (2025) 151702.

F.D. Leon-Cazares, X. Zhou, C. Alleman, C. San Marchi: “Dislocation nano-hydrides in nickel: Nucleation, evolution and effects on dislocation behaviors” J Mech Phys Solids 205 (2025) 106310.

Y. Kong, P. Kathayat, A. Williamson, D.W. Brown, S.K. Lawrence, B. Clausen, S.C. Vogel, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, L. Ravkov, L. Balogh, J.G. Speer, K.O. Findley, L. Cho: “Influence of stacking fault energy and hydrogen on deformation mechanisms in high Mn austenitic steels during in-situ tensile testing” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 148 (2025) 149833.

X.W. Zhou, F.D. Leon-Cazares, C. San Marchi: “New molecular dynamics studies of hydrogen effects on cross-slip energy barriers in austenitic stainless steels” Comput Mater Sci 257 (2025) 113990.

J. Ronevich, M. Agnani, C. San Marchi: “Consistency of fatigue crack growth behavior of pipeline and low-alloy pressure vessel steels in gaseous hydrogen” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 686.

C. Nowak, B.J. Kagay, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, X.W. Zhou: “Molecular dynamics examination of hydrogen effects on relative fracture properties of interfaces between ferrite, martensite, and cementite in Fe-C steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 865.

F.D. León-Cázares, M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Effects of hydrogen partial pressure on crack initiation and growth rate in vintage X52 steel” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 914.

D.M. Oliveria, C.W. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin, J.C. Gibeling: “Hydrogen influences thermal activation parameters for dislocation glide during low cycle fatigue of 316L stainless steels” Mater Sci Eng A932 (2025) 148243.

L. Cho, Y. Kong, P. Kathayat, D.W. Brown, S.K. Lawrence, B. Clausen, S.C. Vogel, L. Ravkov, L. Balogh, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, J.G. Speer, K.O. Findley: “Influence of hydrogen on deformation and embrittlement mechanisms in a high Mn austenitic steel: In-Situ neutron diffraction and diffraction line profile analysis” Acta mater 281 (2024) 120420.

A.J. Stershic, C.R. D’Elia, L.L. Beghini, M.R. Hill, B. Clausen, D.K. Balch, M. Maguire, C.W. San Marchi, J.W. Foulk III, A.A. Hanson, K.L. Manktelow: “Adaptively remeshed multiphysical modeling of resistance forge welding with experimental validation of residual stress fields and measurement processes” Intern J Solids Struct 306 (2024) 113112.

F.D. León-Cázares, X. Zhou, B. Kagay, J.D. Sugar, C. Alleman, M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen effects on deformation and slip localization in a single crystal austenitic stainless steel” Intern J Plasticity 180 (2024) 104074.

C.M. Smudde, C. San Marchi, M.R. Hill, J.C. Gibeling: “The influence of residual stress on fatigue crack growth rates in stainless steel processes by different additive manufacturing methods” J Mater Engng Perform 33 (2024) 7703.

P. Kathayat, L. Cho, J.G. Speer, Y. Kong, C.W. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, K.O. Findley: “Microstructural engineering of Mn-alloyed austenitic steel for hydrogen storage and delivery” Key Engng Mater 967 (2023) 23.

S.K. Lawrence, R. Pokharel, B. Clausen, D.W. Brown, C. San Marchi, M.K. O’Brien, S. Lee, J.-S. Park, P. Kenesei: “In situ x-ray diffraction investigation of hydrogen effects on deformation-induced phase transformation in forged and additively manufactured 304L stainless steel” JOM 75 (2023) 2287.

C.M. Smudde, C.W. San Marchi, M.R. Hill, J.C. Gibeling: “Effects of residual stress on orientation dependent fatigue crack growth rates in additively manufactured stainless steel” Intern J Fatigue 169 (2023) 107489.

C. Nowak, R.B.Sills, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, X.W. Zhou: “Atomistic simulations of hydrogen distribution in Fe-C steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 47 (2022) 32732.

X.W. Zhou, R. Skelton, R.B. Sills, C. San Marchi: “Slip transmission and voiding during slip band intersections in Fe70Ni10Cr20 stainless steel” Scr Mater 220 (2022) 114925.

D.M. Oliveira, C. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin, J.C. Gibeling: “The influence of hydrogen on the low cycle fatigue behavior of strain-hardened 316L stainless steel” Mater Sci Eng A 849 (2022) 143477.

C.M. Smudde, C.R. D’Elia, C. San Marchi, M.R. Hill, J.C. Gibeling: “The Influence of Residual Stress on Fatigue Crack Growth Rates of Additively Manufactured Type 304L Stainless Steel” Intern J Fatigue 162 (2022) 106954.

X.W. Zhou, C. Nowak, R.S. Skelton, M.E. Foster, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, R.B. Sills: “An Fe-Ni-Cr-H interatomic potential and predictions of hydrogen-affected stacking fault energies in austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 47 (2022) 651-665.

T.M. Krentz, J.A. Ronevich, D.K. Balch, C. San Marchi: “Tritium embrittlement of austenitic stainless steel tubing at low helium contents” Fusion Engineering and Design 168 (2021) 112413.

J.A Ronevich, E.U. Song, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen-assisted fracture resistance of pipeline welds in gaseous hydrogen” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 46 (2021) 7601. 

J.E.C. Sabisch, J.D. Sugar, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin: “Interrogating the effects of hydrogen on the behavior of planar deformation bands in austenitic stainless steel” Metall Mater Trans A 52 (2021) 1516-1525.

C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, J.E.C. Sabisch, J.D. Sugar, D.L. Medlin, B.P. Somerday: “Effect of microstructural and environmental variables on ductility of austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 46 (2021) 12338-12347.

T.R. Smith, J.D. Sugar, C. San Marchi, J.M. Schoenung: “Microstructural development in DED austenitic stainless steels: applying welding models to elucidate the impact of processing alloy composition”. J Mater Sci 56 (2021) 762.

X. Zhou, M.E. Foster, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Review and construction of interatomic potentials for molecular dynamics studies of hydrogen embrittlement in Fe-C based steels”. J Comput Chem 41 (2020) 1299.

P.J. Gibbs, P.D. Hough, K. Thuermer, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi, J.A. Zimmerman: “Stacking fault energy based alloy screening for hydrogen compatibility”. JOM 72 (2020) 1982.

T.R. Smith, J.D. Sugar, J.M. Schoenung, C. San Marchi: “Relationship between manufacturing defects and fatigue properties of additive manufactured austenitic stainless steel”. Mater Sci Eng A786 (2019) 138268.

T.R. Smith, J.D. Sugar, C. San Marchi, J.M. Schoenung: “Strengthening mechanisms in directed energy deposited austenitic stainless steel”. Acta Mater 164 (2019) 728-740.

M.E. Stender, L.L. Beghini, J.D. Sugar, M.G. Veilleux, S.R. Subia, T.R. Smith, C. San Marchi, A.A. Brown, D.J. Dagel: “A thermal-mechanical finite element workflow for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing process modeling”. Additive Manufacturing 21 (2018) 556-566.

T.R Smith, J.D. Sugar, J.M. Schoenung, C. San Marchi: “Anomalous annealing response of directed energy deposited type 304L austenitic stainless steel”. JOM 70 (2018) 358-363.

J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, M. Kent, S. Narasimhachary, F. Palmert, S. Sheng, S. Wanjura: “Fracture resistance of corrosion-resistant alloys at elevated temperature with internal hydrogen” (PVP2026-175536), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

B. Schroeder, H. Mendoza, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, “Sensitivity of Pipeline Structural Integrity Assessments to Modeling Assumptions in Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics for Evaluating Risks of Transporting Hydrogen and Hydrogen Blends in Natural Gas Infrastructure” (PVP2026-179908), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

M.E. Cristea, S. Cravero, C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, “Effect of overload on fracture resistance for line pipe application in gaseous hydrogen environment” (PVP2026-180240), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

J. Pakarinen, S. Nandy, P. Moilanen, E. Huttunen-Saarivirta, P. Pohjanne, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, “Fatigue crack growth and fracture investigations for vintage X65 and modern X70 pipeline steels” (PVP2026-186466), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

A. LeBoeuf, L. Townsend, S. Samanta, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, M. Kent, L. Cho, K. Findley, “Microstructure Effects on the H-Assisted Fracture Resistance of Control Rolled and Accelerated Cooled X70 Industrial Plates” (PVP2026-176583), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

M. Kent, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, “Hydrogen-assisted fracture response of pipeline steel: comparison of compact tension (CT) and single-edge notch tension (SENT) specimens” (PVP2026-177176), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

Q. Yurek, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen Assisted Fatigue and Fracture of XM-19 and Its Welds at Low-temperature” (PVP2026-179981), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA. 

P. Bortot, M. Ortolani, M.E. Cristea, J. Ronevich, Chris San Marchi: “Fatigue crack initiation and life of ASME SA-372 steel in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen” (PVP2026-179860), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA. 

E. Navalles, B. Sefer, N. Fuertes, E. Virolainen, C. Klar-Jaans, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, “Fatigue life and crack growth behavior of a ferritic-bainitic steel in gaseous hydrogen” (PVP2026-172763), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA. 

Q. Yurek, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, “Influence of hardness on fatigue life of vintage X42 pipeline steel in gaseous hydrogen” (paper no. C2026-00136), Proceedings of the AMPP Annual Conference, 15-19 March 2026, Houston TX.

M. Kent, M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, “Fatigue and fracture performance of vintage pipeline welds in gaseous hydrogen environments” (paper no. C2026-00138), Proceedings of the AMPP Annual Conference, 15-19 March 2026, Houston TX.

P. Bortot, M. Ortolani, M. Bellingardi, M. Connolly, Z.N. Buck, C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich: “Fracture resistance of high strength steel welds in gaseous hydrogen determined using potential difference and unloading compliance” (PVP2025-154490), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen-assisted fatigue and fracture of 15-5PH precipitation hardened martensitic stainless steel” (PVP2025-152466), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

M.E. Cristea, S. Cravero, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich: “Effect of different test parameter on J-R curves in gaseous hydrogen” (PVP2025-153104), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

S. Samanta, C. Ni, A. LeBoeuf, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, Z. Yu, L. Cho, K.O. Findley: “Fracture resistance of weld and heat-affected zones in line pipe steels in high pressure H₂ gas: microstructure-property correlation” (PVP2025-155145), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

A. LeBoeuf, S. Samanta, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, Z.N. Buck, M. Connolly, L. Chi, K. Findley: “Microstructural effects on the fracture resistance of the base metal in line pipe steels in high pressure H₂ gas” (PVP2025-154718), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

R. Thodla, A. Huggins-Gonzalez, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, B. Bezensek: “Determination of fracture initiation in H₂ environments from rising displacement tests” (PVP2025-154581), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, K. Nibur: “Evaluation of specimen geometry and testing parameters for hydrogen-assisted fracture measurements” (PVP2025-154046), Proceedings of the ASME 2025 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 20-25 July 2025, Montreal, Canada.

C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, B. Schroeder, B. Davis: “Hydrogen pressure cycling of subscale pipes to simulate full-scale testing of transmission pipelines” (IPC2024-134173), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 International Pipeline Conference, 23-27 September 2024, Calgary, AB, Canada.

J. Ronevich, M. Agnani,M. Gagliano, J. Parker, C. San Marchi: “Influence of strength and hardness on hydrogen-assisted fracture in pipeline steels” (IPC2024-133937), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 International Pipeline Conference, 23-27 September 2024, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Y. Wang, Z. Feng, Y. Wang, J. Ronevich, M. Agnani, C. San Marchi: “Microstructure and mechanical performance of X120 linepipe steel in high-pressure hydrogen gas” (PVP2024-123383), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 28 July – 2 August 2024, Bellevue WA.

J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, S. Narasimhachary, F. Palmert_, S. Sheng, S. Wanjura: “The mechanical behavior of corrosion resistant alloys at elevated temperature with internal hydrogen” (PVP2024-123397), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 28 July – 2 August 2024, Bellevue WA.

B. Schroeder, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, M. Devin, J. Duell, S. Potts: “Utilizing probabilistic analyses to explore performance margins of natural gas infrastructure for the transport and delivery of hydrogen and hydrogen blends” (PVP2024-125226), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 28 July – 2 August 2024, Bellevue WA.

C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, P. Bortot, M. Ortolani, K. Xu, M. Rana: “Technical basis for fatigue crack growth rules in gaseous hydrogen for ASME B31.12 Code Case 220 and for revision of ASME VIII-3 Code Case 2938-1” (PVP2024-122529), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 28 July – 2 August 2024, Bellevue WA.

M. Agnani, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Comparison between fatigue and fracture behavior of pipeline steels in pure and blended hydrogen at different pressures” (PVP2024-123477), Proceedings of the ASME 2024 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 28 July – 2 August 2024, Bellevue WA.

M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Comparison of fatigue and fracture behavior of welded and seamless pipe steel in gaseous hydrogen”, 3^rd International Symposium on the Recent Developments in Plate Steels, 2-5 June 2024, Vail CO.

M. Agnani, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Fatigue and Fracture Resistance of Different Line Pipe Grade Steels in Gaseous H₂ Environment”, Proceedings of the AMPP Conference, 3-7 March 2024, New Orleans LA.

P. Bortot, M. Ortolani, M. Bellingardi, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich: “Investigating fatigue crack growth rate of ferritic steels in high pressure hydrogen gas”, Proceedings of the AMPP Conference, 3-7 March 2024, New Orleans LA.