Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWMHydrogen research at the Fraunhofer IWM
Hydrogen plays a prominent role in all future scenarios of the energy industry. As a connecting element between the different areas of energy supply, hydrogen contributes to the sustainable conversion, storage and use of energy. Hydrogen technology supports the expansion of renewable energy systems and the avoidance of CO2 emissions. Regarding production and operation, hydrogen stored in atomic form can trigger structural damage mechanisms that cause component failure. Therefore, in order to ensure safe operation and a long service life of systems in contact with hydrogen, diffusion, reaction and damage processes must be taken into account during the development, production and use of many materials, especially high-performance materials in contact with hydrogen.
Hydrogen @ Fraunhofer IWM
An advanced description and evaluation of the effects of hydrogen regarding materials takes into account mechanisms on both the macroscopic and microstructural scales as well as on the atomic scale and translates these mechanisms into reliable life cycle predictions and risk assessments. It is precisely these requirements that the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM - via its research and development focus on materials in contact with hydrogen – satisfies and fulfills.
Our research and development work aims to describe interactions of atomic or molecular hydrogen in contact with materials using experimental methods and theoretical models: adsorption, desorption, dissociation and association of gases or fluids containing molecular hydrogen on material surfaces, absorption, permeation, diffusion and reaction of atomic hydrogen in material structures. This enables us to provide a target-oriented mechanistic description of damage processes, an evaluation of material and component behavior and the derivation of design guidelines and life cycle predictions.
Laboratory opening and hydrogen workshop on April 10th & 11th, 2019
We are using the workshop "Influencing the effects of hydrogen on materials" as an opportunity to present current solutions for the use of materials in contact with hydrogen as well as to discuss future-oriented concepts with prominent representatives from industry and science.
At the Fraunhofer IWM, we have considerably expanded our ability to provide practical and theoretical opportunities for material-hydrogen mechanics: new laboratory facilities, new experimental techniques and new simulation tools, which will be presented as part of this workshop.
- Experimental determination of diffusible and trapped hydrogen in materials, hydrogen trap density and their binding energies.
- In situ degradation and strength experimentation under static, dynamic, cyclic and thermal loading.
- Determination of fracture mechanical properties under pressure/electrochemically supplied hydrogen.
Contact us:
Dr. Thorsten Michler, Phone: +49 761 5142-475, Send email
Dr. Ken Wackermann, Phone: +49 761 5142-492, Send email
- Micro- and multiscale mechanistic modeling of hydrogen in materials with quantum mechanical and atomistic computer simulation methods
- Simulation of diffusion and reaction of hydrogen in metallic and ceramic materials
- Calculation of binding energies, activation energies, structure and temperature dependent diffusivity of hydrogen in material structures
- Computational design, optimization and screening of hydrogen storage compounds as functional materials for energy systems, metal hydride storage, ion batteries and fuel cells
- Experimental micromechanical observation and elucidation of hydrogen induced material damage processes on microscale material samples
Contact us:
Dr. Daniel Urban, Phone: +49 761 5142-492-378, Send email
- Risk assessment of lubricants with regard to hydrogen induced sliding and rolling bearing damage
- Concepts to avoid hydrogen induced surface damage under tribological stress
- Modeling of hydrogen in tribo contact
Contact us:
Dr. Dominik Kürten, Phone: +49 761 5142-148, Send email
- Analysis of the production chain regarding temporary and permanent hydrogen input
- Modeling of effusion treatments
- Modeling and evaluation of cold cracks in welded joints
Contact us:
Dr. Johannes Preußner, Phone: +49 761 5142-101, Send email
Dr. Frank Schweizer, Phone: +49 761 5142-122, Send email
- Strength analyses and failure evaluation for components
- Models for diffusion-controlled crack propagation
- Lifetime models (DTMF) for components under hydrogen embrittlement
Contact us:
Dr. Thorsten Michler, Phone: +49 761 5142-475, Send email
Laboratory opening and hydrogen workshop on April 10th & 11th, 2019
We are using the workshop "Influencing the effects of hydrogen on materials" as an opportunity to present current solutions for the use of materials in contact with hydrogen as well as to discuss future-oriented concepts with prominent representatives from industry and science.
At the Fraunhofer IWM, we have considerably expanded our ability to provide practical and theoretical opportunities for material-hydrogen mechanics: new laboratory facilities, new experimental techniques and new simulation tools, which will be presented as part of this workshop.
