Testing facilities for mechanical properties in hydrogen gas (HyMech)

Purpose and goal:

Hydrogen technologies will be crucial to the transition to a fossil-free society. In order to be able to develop safe hydrogen (H2) technology, correct information about the material behavior in relevant applications is required. The methods currently used to evaluate hydrogen embrittlement cannot be used for H2 applications.

The project has specified the needs for mechanical testing for H2 through a survey of applications, testing facilities and standards. Verification tests in H2 with a method that has been developed at Swerim have also been performed. Expected results and effects:

Testing to evaluate material compatibility in a hydrogen environment will be a necessary part of the new applications where hydrogen is used. The Swedish metal industry and end users need to gain more knowledge and verify their materials in relevant environments in order to maintain and increase their competitiveness now and in the future. The project has given its partners a thorough overview of test methods, standards and requirements from various hydrogen gas applications.

The results have also been shared in a seminar that has been arranged within the project with 150 participants. Approach and implementation:

The HyMech project has carefully analyzed the need in Sweden for mechanical testing of metallic materials and components in the H2 environment. The work has taken place through interviews with not only project partners who represent the Swedish manufacturing industry but to a large extent the entire Swedish H2 industry, networks and decision-makers, a total of 15 interviews.

Furthermore, HyMech has identified relevant H2 standards and test methods. Swerim has also developed and run verification testing with the HSM method in 200 bars in Ar and H2 within the project.