Nanovoids for Developing New Hydrogen-resistant Materials (NanoHMAT)
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Abstract
Hydrogen is ubiquitous and its applications will drive the technology of a net-zero carbon society. Hydrogen isotopes fuel the nuclear fusion reaction, the most efficient potentially useable energy process. Hydrogen is also widely seen as an energy carrier of the future and the most versatile means of energy storage. It can be produced via electrolysis from renewable sources, such as wind or solar power, and stored to be used as fuel or as a raw material in the chemical industry. Hampering these opportunities, hydrogen is known to cause catastrophic failures in metallic structures. The strength, fracture toughness and ductility of metals can be reduced by orders of magnitude in the presence of hydrogen. From bolt cracking at the Leadenhall ("Cheesegrater") skyscraper to the failure of offshore structures, the impact of this so-called hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon is pervasive across the energy, transport, construction and defence sectors.
Research efforts in the hydrogen embrittlement community have been mainly directed towards the understanding of this chemo-mechanical phenomenon and the development of models capable of predicting when hydrogen assisted failures would occur. NanoHMAT aims at bringing a paradigm-shift by going from analysis to design, exploring high-risk high-gain approaches for developing a new generation of hydrogen embrittlement-resistant materials. This will be achieved by exploiting the fact that hydrogen is "trapped" at microstructural features such as grain boundaries, voids or carbides, in a research endeavour that combines multi-scale/physics simulations, advanced characterisation techniques and state-of-the-art nano/micro-manufacturing.
Research efforts in the hydrogen embrittlement community have been mainly directed towards the understanding of this chemo-mechanical phenomenon and the development of models capable of predicting when hydrogen assisted failures would occur. NanoHMAT aims at bringing a paradigm-shift by going from analysis to design, exploring high-risk high-gain approaches for developing a new generation of hydrogen embrittlement-resistant materials. This will be achieved by exploiting the fact that hydrogen is "trapped" at microstructural features such as grain boundaries, voids or carbides, in a research endeavour that combines multi-scale/physics simulations, advanced characterisation techniques and state-of-the-art nano/micro-manufacturing.
Organisations
Publications
Álvarez G
(2023)
Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel: Influence of post-processing, printing direction, temperature and pre-straining
in Additive Manufacturing
Zafra A
(2022)
Comparison of hydrogen diffusivities measured by electrochemical permeation and temperature-programmed desorption in cold-rolled pure iron
in Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering
Zafra A
(2023)
On the relative efficacy of electropermeation and isothermal desorption approaches for measuring hydrogen diffusivity
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Isfandbod M
(2021)
A mechanism-based multi-trap phase field model for hydrogen assisted fracture
in International Journal of Plasticity
Description | Stand at the Exhibition Road Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A stand was presented in the Exhibition Road Festival, showcasing the latest findings of our active research grants and more generally disseminating our activities. The event attracts tens of thousands of attendees over a weekend. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/ |