Adapting products and systems for use in hydrogen technologies is a challenging project for many companies. This involves issues related to materials science, safety, service life, and compliance with norms and standards. The relevant materials knowledge is often incomplete. We help structure and prioritize key action items and fill information and knowledge gaps. We facilitate an efficient entry into the field of hydrogen technology.
On this page:
FAQs – Examples of Customer Questions
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 specific issue. Please contact us. Together, we will find a (non-binding) solution to your challenge.
I would like to know whether the materials we use for certain components are hydrogen-sensitive. Are tensile tests suitable for this?
Tensile tests with gaseous hydrogen are a good screening method for estimating a material’s hydrogen sensitivity. Hollow specimens offer the possibility of cost-effective tensile testing. Round and flat specimens can be tested in a hydrogen autoclave according to standards. For a detailed analysis, the materials must be examined under the loads they will experience in service.
What damage can hydrogen cause to my product?
Hydrogen can lead to embrittlement of the materials and premature failure of the component due to, for example, increased crack propagation
Is there an increased risk of failure for components that come into contact with hydrogen?
To answer this, the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement must be assessed. This ultimately depends on the materials and the operating conditions to which they are exposed, such as hydrogen pressure, temperature, and mechanical loads.
How do I make my component H2-ready?
H2-readiness is determined by the materials and the component design. For component design, there are valid design guidelines and standards in some areas, such as pipelines. Here, we assist in determining the necessary materials properties and applying the guidelines. In other areas where no guidelines exist, we apply established design concepts in a way that accounts for the influence of hydrogen.
Does hydrogen penetrate my component, and does it become trapped inside? What types of traps exist? What local concentrations are possible?
Hydrogen penetrates virtually every metallic material. Using our gas permeation test bench, we can measure the hydrogen diffusion rate. We use thermal desorption spectroscopy to investigate how much hydrogen penetrates and how strongly it is bound to hydrogen traps.
Do all relevant parameters have to be measured in a time-consuming process, or can certain properties be estimated?
There are empirical and literature values that can be used in some cases for certain classes of materials. Other parameters must be determined according to standards for each material used.
A component has failed. Is hydrogen the cause of the failure?
Through fracture surface analysis in a scanning electron microscope, hydrogen-specific failure patterns can be identified and used to infer damage mechanisms.
BMWK PoWer
Heavy-duty vehicles
As part of the effort to achieve decarbonization of the transportation sector, heavy-duty vehicles and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) are increasingly coming to the forefront. Due to its inherent characteristics—such as efficiency, robustness, and low raw emissions—the hydrogen engine offers many advantages that make it well-suited for these applications. In this project, the cross-application use of H2-powered powertrain concepts in NRMM for construction and agricultural applications is demonstrated and holistically investigated, based on both corresponding vehicle concept studies and systemic fleet and infrastructure analyses. Additionally, exhaust aftertreatment concepts are developed and extensively demonstrated on the test bench. Through the development of materials and the tribological system, as well as their qualification in engine runs, all the fundamentals necessary to meet the extreme robustness requirements—while taking future NRMM emission regulations into account—are being established.
Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM