Ceit promotes the development of state-of-the-art materials for the transport and storage of hydrogen as part of the H2MAT+ project

The Ceit Technology Centre will be providing its experience in state-of-the-art materials and simulations with a view to overcoming the technical challenges faced by hydrogen as an energy vector.

Hydrogen, referred to as the energy vector of the future, has features that make working with it extremely complex: it is the lightest chemical element that exists, is noticeably easy to combine with other elements, and to change its properties, and its volumetric energy density is low. These specific features raise major challenges, among which attention should be drawn to the embrittlement of materials and their efficient storage.

To deal with these challenges, the H2MAT+ project, funded via the ELKARTEK programme run by the Basque Government, seeks to develop new metal structures that are capable of withstanding the negative effects of hydrogen and improving efficiency in terms of its storage.

Hydrogen embrittlement is a phenomenon in which metal materials become more susceptible to cracks when they come in contact with hydrogen. H2MAT+ deals with this challenge via the development of high entropy alloys (HEAs) and new types of steel specifically designed to withstand environments that are rich in hydrogen. Additionally, hybrid steel and aluminium structures will be assessed, which will enable their behaviour and resistance to be studied under demanding conditions.

Ceit is leading the work package that focuses on the study of hydrogen interaction with materials within the H2MAT+ framework. Its proven track record in simulation and material characterisation will be key to researching into how hydrogen is absorbed, adsorbed and desorbed, and how these interactions affect the mechanical properties of materials. The ultimate goal is to design materials which are less susceptible to embrittlement by optimising their microstructure for hydrogen transport and storage applications.

To this end, Ceit will be employing state-of-the-art simulation techniques such as hydrogen diffusion coupled modelling in terms of crack propagation, using phase field methods. These simulations will enable the behaviour of materials to be predicted in the presence of hydrogen, thus facilitating the development of safer and more efficient structures.

Ceit will also be applying solid-state diffusion bonding technologies, such as the HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) process – a technique whose effectiveness has been proven in the manufacture of robust components for demanding environments. Moreover, Ceit installations and laboratories will enable prototypes to be produced and assessed in both microstructural terms and in terms of mechanical properties, and then be subjected to hydrogen conditions.

The Ceit laboratory, which has been recently equipped thanks to a grant provided by the Basque Government AZPITEK programme, enables materials that come in contact with hydrogen to be thoroughly characterised. These capabilities include mechanical traction, tenacity and fatigue tests to assess resistance of the alloys developed, as well as experiments to measure their capacity to absorb hydrogen.

H2MAT+ is subsidised by the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability of the Basque Government and brings together a consortium made up of: Azterlan, Tubacex Innovación, Tecnalia, UPV/EHU, Vicinay Marine Innovación, Clúster de Energía and Ceit, and coordinated by Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa (MGEP).

Proyecto subvencionado por el Departamento de Industria, Transición Energética y Sostenibilidad del Gobierno Vasco (Programa ELKARTEK 2024) Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Industria, Trantsizio Energetiko eta Jasangarritasun Saila (ELKARTEK 2024 Programa) diruz lagundutako proiektua Project funded by the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability of the Basque Government (ELKARTEK 2024 Programme)