Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
The steps involved in hydrogen transport from the gas phase to the dissolved state within the metal lattice and its diffusion into regions of high stress, such as crack tips and defects.
The development of physics and mechanism-based models for hydrogen absorption, movement, distribution, and damage in metals enables the optimization of manufacturing processes, the assessment of defect influences, and reliable service life predictions for components. Experimental data from mechanical testing and hydrogen analysis validate the models. This significantly reduces testing efforts and costs while enabling well-founded decisions.
- Calculation of hydrogen diffusion and distribution in complex components under physical and mechanical loads during operation (e.g., stress fields, plasticization, temperature gradients, …)
- Calculation of the service life of components in a hydrogen atmosphere using physically based models of hydrogen damage mechanisms.