Designing components for contact with hydrogen requires an assessment of the materials used in terms of hydrogen embrittlement and their diffusion properties. The effects of operating conditions—such as temperature, pressure, and mechanical stress—on hydrogen sensitivity must be taken into account. We have the appropriate testing methods and can advise on the application of standards specific to hydrogen.
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Every question is unique, and the answer is tailored to the customer. These answers will give you an initial idea of where to start when addressing your concerns. Please contact us. Together, we will find a (non-binding) solution to your challenge.
How should I design my component for hydrogen operation? What guidelines are in place?
Depending on the application, different standards apply to the design of components. In some cases, hydrogen is already accounted for in the standard. In other cases, a specific analysis of the component is necessary.
How can I evaluate my component based on measured materials data?
The determined materials parameters are incorporated into the design in accordance with the applicable standard. Where no standard exists or more precise predictions are necessary, advanced materials models based on experimental characterization can enable component design.
Alloy Development for Pressure Vessels
FEATHER aims to develop a steel for next-generation hydrogen cylinders with a tensile strength of 1.3 GPa (a 30% increase over the current solution) and improved performance at high hydrogen pressures, while ensuring safe operation. New metallurgical concepts are being investigated on a laboratory scale and tested for resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen-microstructure interactions, fracture toughness, and fatigue under high-pressure H2.
Fischer, C.; Augenstein, H.; Michler, T.
Comparison of design approaches on the design lifetime prediction of gaseous hydrogen storage tanks in Proc. of ASME
2023 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference PVP 2023 Vol. 1: Codes and Standards; The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Ed.); ASME, New York, NY, USA (2023) Art. PVP2023-105731, 10 Seiten Link
Fischer, C.; Fliegener, S.; Augenstein, H.; Michler T.; Höhler, S.; Mondry, A.; Ertault de la Betronnière, P. Codes and standards for the fatigue-based design of hydrogen infrastructure components
International Journal of Fatigue 171 (2023) Art. 107564, 17 Seiten Link
Michler, T.; Freitas, T.; Augenstein, H.; Fischer, C.; Wackermann, K.; Ebling, F.
Tensile testing in high pressure gaseous hydrogen using conventional and tubular specimens: Austenitic stainless steels
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 48/65 (2023) 25609-25618 Link
Freitas, T.; Konert, F.; Nietzke, J.; Krzysch, Z.; Böllinghaus, T.; Michler, T.; Wackermann, K.; Augenstein, H.; Tlili, M.; Ruchti, P.; Beitelschmidt, D.; Elsen-Humberg, S.; Koenigs, T.; Systermans, T.; Sobol, O.
Tensile testing in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen using the hollow specimen method, MRS Bulletin 49 (2024) 1112–1120 Link
Michler, T.; Ebling, F.; Augenstein, H.; Fischer, C.; Wackermann, K.
Comparison of tensile properties of X60 pipeline steel tested in high pressure gaseous hydrogen using tubular and conventional specimen
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 47/81 (2022) 34676-34688 Link
Michler, T.; Ebling, F.; Fischer, C.; Oeser, S.; Wackermann, K.
Tensile testing in high pressure gaseous hydrogen using conventional and tubular specimens: ferritic steels
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 48/65 (2023) 262-275 Link
Michler T.; Augenstein H.; Fischer C.
Comparison of low cycle fatigue data of X52 pipeline steel in air and gaseous hydrogen using conventional and hollow specimen
International Journal of Fatigue 197 (2025) Art. 108939, 11 Seiten Link
Muth, A.; Fischer, C.; Oeser, S.; Augenstein, H.
Fully coupled crystal plasticity and hydrogen diffusion modeling of X52 pipeline steel and weld microstructures
Computational Materials Science 258 (2025) Art. 114005, 10 Seiten Link
Wackermann K.; Ebling F.; Michler T.; Schweizer F.; Augenstein H.
Design, Usage And Safety Aspects For Tubular Specimens For Materials Qualification With Pressurised Hydrogen
Journal of the Engineering Integrity Society /58 (2025) 12-17 Link
Michler, T.; Schönborn, S.; Augenstein, H.
Crack initiation due to low cycle fatigue in X60 pipeline steel tested in high pressure gaseous hydrogen using hollow and conventional specimens
International Journal of Fatigue 204/109354 (2026) 0142-1123 Link
Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM