PROJECT

OBJETIVES

THE H2MAT+ PROJECT CHIEFLY AIMS TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ROBUST METHODOLOGIES TO DESIGN, PRODUCE AND EVALUATE METALLIC MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THEIR BEHAVIOUR IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROGEN.

SUB-OBJECTIVES

EVALUATION OF THE BEHAVIOUR

With respect to their permeation and mechanical properties with hydrogen of high entropy alloys, both conventional and those developed by the consortium, as well as of steels in use and new developments.
The study of the mechanical properties of lightened hybrid structures, aluminium-stainless steel, with respect to hydrogen.

MICROSTRUCTURAL OPTIMISATION

Of the interfaces of hybrid joints between high entropy alloys and steel produced by means of NSF, centrifugal casting, cofusion and HIP technologies with respect to hydrogen.
To understand how the microstructural characteristics of materials used in the project, controlled by thermal or other treatments, determine their behaviour with respect to hydrogen absorption.

TECHNICAL-ECONOMIC EVALUATION

Of the structures obtained with respect to steels used in the transport and storage of hydrogen, and other new generation steels families.

TECHNOLOGICAL SCOPE

As part of the H2MAT+ solution to the challenges, the consortium proposes:

1. Metal structures

As part of the H2MAT+ solution to the challenges, the consortium has selected 4 metallic structures to be developed, analysed and evaluated.

In the face of hydrogen embrittlement, the following are considered:

The use of high entropy alloys (HEA) both as stand-alone and overlay alloys on steels.
Developing new high entropy alloys specifically for use with hydrogen.
Characterise new steel formulations that can behave better than existing steels in the presence of hydrogen.
Characterise hybrid steel-aluminium structures with respect to hydrogen.

Regarding the issue of hydrogen storage in the solid state, HEA alloys used in the project and others developed by the partners for this purpose will be evaluated.

The initial activities to be carried out are as follows:

The selected metallic structures will be evaluated with respect to their permeation characteristics and mechanical properties in the presence of hydrogen.
The partners will advance in the development of knowledge on how to optimise their microstructure to improve their behaviour in the presence of hydrogen and, especially, of the interfaces of hybrid joints between HEA and steel produced by NSF (Near solidus Forming), centrifugal casting, cofusion and HIP technologies. The microstructural characteristics of the materials used in H2MAT+, controlled by thermal or other treatments, determine their behaviour with respect to hydrogen absorption.

2. Set-up of new tests

An added value of the project is the capacity for mechanical evaluation of materials and structures.

The R&D entities integrated in H2MAT+ have used the work developed in H2MAT, the previous Elkartek project, to position themselves as an active player in the field of materials testing in contact with hydrogen. Thus, they have designed and acquired new test methods aimed at validating metallic materials in contact with hydrogen.

Thanks to these new facilities and capabilities, they will evaluate, for example, the mechanical behaviour of lightened hybrid structures, aluminium/stainless steel, with respect to hydrogen.

Azterlan’s advanced manufacturing and control laboratory for high performance cast materials and components.

3. Integral evaluation and assessment of materials and structures

Finally, a comprehensive technical and economic evaluation and assessment of the materials and structures obtained for steels used in hydrogen transport and storage, and other new generation steel families, will be carried out.

Expected results

Optimisation of production processes and characterisation of hybrid and multilayer alloys and structures optimised with respect to their behaviour with respect to hydrogen.

Optimisation of the methodology for studying permeation using the Devanathan-Stachurski electrochemical cell and development of new capabilities based on this experimental set-up, such as permeation under stress.

Optimisation of ab- ad- and hydrogen desorption evaluation of metallic materials.

Permeation and ab-desorption evaluation of steels, aluminium and high entropy alloys to be used in contact with hydrogen-rich media.

Optimisation of small punch tests with hydrogen, both ‘ex-situ’ and ‘insitu’ in service conditions exposed to hydrogen gas up to 100 bar and electrochemical hydrogenation.

Optimisation of corrosion-fragility-fatigue tests, including limits, embrittlement threshold and cracking control.

Assessment of mechanical properties of the materials and structures studied, including steels (carbon, stainless, Cantor, new HEAs, hybrid and multilayer structures, aluminium) in hydrogen-rich media.

Technical-economic evaluation of the feasibility of using the materials developed in this project.

Main indicators

15 indexed scientific journal

2 patent applications

The project CONSORTIUM consists of several participants

This project is coordinated by MONDRAGON GOI ESKOLA POLITEKNIKOA and will involve the participation of seven other partners from the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network, namely: AZTERLAN, CEIT, TECNALIA, TUBACEX INNOVACIÓN, UPV/EHU, VICINAY MARINE INNOVACIÓN and the BASQUE ENERGY CLUSTER.

ADVISORY BOARD

Different component companies from the Basque Country will make up the Advisory Board for the definition of specifications, sharing of advances and experiences in materials in hydrogen-rich environments. It will also serve for a first phase of knowledge transfer generated during the project.

The H2MAT+ project has a series of Basque entities that have expressed their interest in forming part of its Advisory Board, due to the strategic interest that these research activities have for them. The invitations have been made with the aim of having an Advisory Board representative of the different segments of the hydrogen value chain that are related to H2MAT+:

Steel development

Hydrogen transport and distribution components

Engineering companies, developers and integrators of plant equipment

Material test benches