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MATERIAL TESTING PROGRAMME FOR HYDROGEN SUITABILITY OF MATERIALS
The currently customary method for testing steel for its suitability for the construction of pressurised hydrogen tanks as part of the approval process only evaluates crack propagation under constant load. However, during the operation of pressurised tanks for the trailer transport of gaseous hydrogen, a wide variety of forces and loads act on the tank material. In order to assess the suitability of the material and thus the safety of the tank, the material should be tested intensively in advance of approval – under conditions that correspond to those in real operation as closely as possible. The aim is to create a series of standardised tests that represent the load conditions as realistically as possible.
These loads include static forces from the gas pressure, cyclical forces from the filling and emptying processes, as well as individual, intensive load peaks that occur during trailer road transport due to shocks and vibrations. Based on this, a comprehensive catalogue of different test methods for steels under the influence of hydrogen was developed. The valid standards and regulations for the design, construction, and testing of pressurised tanks for hydrogen were also taken into account.
The methods include static and dynamic tests, hollow tensile tests, and fracture mechanics tests. Hydrogen is either introduced into the material electrolytically in order to achieve maximum loading, or via pressurised hydrogen, as it acts on the material in reality. Testing under gaseous hydrogen is carried out at extreme pressures of up to over 1000 bar.
The tests are accompanied by comprehensive material characterisation in a hydrogen-free environment in order to be able to evaluate the influence of hydrogen.
Impact and effects
Standardisation of the test catalogue should enable material testing that is as comparable and reproducible as possible. Determining the suitability of materials for high pressures and the influence of hydrogen is essential for the approval of new materials for hydrogen storage. Carrying out targeted tests that reflect the forces acting during operation as realistically as possible is an important contribution to the safe and trouble-free operation of hydrogen infrastructure.
Project partner
- Energienetze Steiermark, AUT
- OMV Downstream, AUT
- TÜV SÜD Österreich, AUT
- voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl, AUT
- voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, AUT
- voestalpine Tubulars, AUT
- Worthington Cylinders, AUT
- Austrian Institute of Technology, AUT
- Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, AUT
- Graz University of Technology, AUT
- LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen, AUT
- Montanuniversitaet Leoben, AUT
- Polymer Competence Center Leoben, AUT