Hydrogen is an important solution for achieving international net‑zero emission targets, but this also requires infrastructure for safe transport and storage of hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas has one of the lowest volumetric energy densities on the market, and significant compression is therefore necessary for it to reach its potential as an energy carrier. This demands materials with high strength and ductility. Hydrogen ingress can weaken material properties and degrade hydrogen infrastructure, a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement. Unintentional leakage and subsequent ignition therefore represent a significant safety challenge for the widespread adoption of hydrogen.
Physical barriers are effective for preventing hydrogen embrittlement in the underlying base material. This involves placing a new material between the substrate and the hydrogen environment. The barrier must prevent hydrogen ingress while also resisting degradation itself when exposed to hydrogen gas.
In the ReSIstH2 project, we will investigate different metallic barriers that can reduce hydrogen embrittlement in the underlying base material. The project focuses particularly on austenitic stainless steels and aluminium alloys bonded to carbon‑steel base materials. The aim is to develop metallic barriers that can enable safe transport, storage, and distribution of high‑pressure hydrogen gas. SINTEF’s laboratories for material testing in hydrogen gas (SMART‑H) will be used. Material investigations from the nano‑ to macro‑scale will be carried out at SINTEF’s laboratories.
SINTEF and NTNU will collaborate to carry out the planned research. NTNU will host two PhD student in the project. The project will also collaborate with research groups in the Japan, Sweden, and Belgium.