The basis for predicting the safety, reliability, and service life of components in contact with hydrogen lies in high-quality materials data under real-world operating conditions and reliable information on stress states. Valid predictions regarding (remaining) service life and failure risks require robust damage and crack propagation models. We adapt the appropriate prediction models to your specific application.
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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 specific needs. Please contact us. Together, we will find a (non-binding) solution to your challenge.
How do temperature and pressure affect component lifespan?
The effects of temperature and hydrogen pressure are significant and complex. Our testing machines cover a temperature range from -196 °C to 1000 °C and test materials at pressures up to 1000 bar. This allows us to simulate a very wide range of operating conditions on a laboratory scale.
Does hydrogen absorption occur upon contact with liquids?
Corrosive media can lead to hydrogen absorption. Using our hydrogen analysis methods, we can determine the hydrogen concentration in metals.
Does hydrogen damage occur at high or low temperatures?
Some materials exhibit their greatest hydrogen embrittlement between approximately -50 °C and room temperature. At high temperatures, some materials may be subject to High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA).
Which gas compositions containing hydrogen are critical in applications?
Gas mixtures contain promoters and inhibitors of hydrogen absorption and damage. Using hollow specimens, we cost-effectively and efficiently investigate the interaction between gas mixtures and materials.
How is the short-term strength (LCF) of components affected by hydrogen?
In short-term strength (Low Cycle Fatigue, LCF) testing, where the component undergoes plastic deformation due to high loads, hydrogen accelerates crack growth.
Is fatigue strength affected by hydrogen?
The influence of hydrogen on fatigue strength is the subject of current research projects, as it has not yet been scientifically clarified. The hydrogen supply (gaseous and preloaded) and the test frequency have a major influence on hydrogen-induced crack growth.
Aviation
The overall goal of the project is to develop a cryogenically cooled hydrogen-electric powertrain to replace fossil fuels with climate-neutral hydrogen and thereby achieve climate-friendly aviation. Innovative additive manufacturing processes are being used to increase the powertrain’s efficiency. To date, there are few to no materials properties available for these materials under the challenging operating conditions of low temperatures and a hydrogen atmosphere. Due to heating and cooling processes, as well as static and dynamic loads during operation, the mechanical stresses on the components of the electric machine are very high. Therefore, the goal is to meet the high aviation requirements for component and operational safety through extensive materials testing and to develop a weight-optimized design for the machine. The design process is further supported by newly developed, advanced materials and life-cycle prediction models capable of describing materials and component behavior under low-temperature conditions and hydrogen exposure. This allows development processes to be optimized and reduces the need for time-consuming component testing. These advanced models can also be reused in the future and represent a significant competitive advantage in component design.
Elsässer, C.; Michler, T.; Gumbsch; P.
Accident prevention and service life - Materials
Hydrogen Technologies; Neugebauer, R. (Ed.); Springer International Publishing AG, Cham, Switzerland (2022) 341-356; 203/2022 Link
Michler T.; Varfolomeev I.
Effect of temperature on hydrogen assisted fatigue crack growth rate of an austenitic steinless steel in PVP 2024; ASME (2024) PVP2024-121158, V004T06A004, 7 Seiten Link
Michler T.; Claeys L.; Oeser S.; Depover T.
Comparison of gaseous hydrogen effects in 1200 MPa high strength martensitic and pearlitic steels
Materials Science and Engineering: A 924 (2025) Art. 147975, 10 Seiten Link
Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM