A 38 cm (15 inch) long metal hydride bed fabricated using 11.4 cm (4.5 inch) O.D., standard schedule 316/316L stainless steel pipe was fitted with 22 strain gauges to measure tangential and longitudinal stress resulting from hydride absorption and desorption cycling. Tests were conducted using two different LaNi4.25Al0.75 metal hydride fill-levels in the bed.

Tests conducted with hydride filled to two-thirds (1.75L) of the 2.63L total bed volume resulted in a maximum stress less than one-third of the pipe's ASME Code allowable, for hydride absorption up to a hydrogen-to-metal ratio (H/M) of 0.86. After 15 absorption/desorption tests and hydride passivation, examination of the bed interior revealed a significant decrease in particle size and increase in hydride height. The second fill level had 0.4L of fresh hydride added to the bed's cycled hydride material, and 56 absorption/desorption tests, up to a gas loading of 0.83 H/M performed. Second fill tests resulted in maximum stresses less than 40% of the ASME Code allowable. Post-test bed radiographs showed a further increase in the apparent hydride fill height, and internal component deformation.