Reliability and durability of materials and assemblies in the hydrogen economy

Test environments developed at Fraunhofer LBF will be on display at the trade fair. They are used for cyclic material testing on full specimens or small components under pressurized hydrogen for the fast and efficient validation of components from hydrogen-loaded systems. They are also used to assess service life and media resistance, as the tests can also be carried out on samples under alkaline or acidic conditions, such as those found in electrolysers. In storage tests under increased temperature and increased pressure of various gases, plastic samples, for example, can be aged at an accelerated rate, so that by comparing their mechanical properties with unaged samples, direct statements can be made about material suitability and service life for the respective application.

These investigations form the basis for the establishment of a reliable and sustainable hydrogen infrastructure.

Circular economy for systems and components of the hydrogen economy
With regard to the circular economy, the Fraunhofer expert teams are presenting a versatile, sustainable process for the recycling of fuel cells. The verified recycling approach consisting of mechanical pre-treatment and chemical separation processes is able to separate high-quality material fractions, in particular from valuable catalyst materials such as the metals of the platinum group, from the other materials - the focus here is on fluorine-based plastics. In addition, a method for separating CFRP components into carbon fibers and plastic matrix is presented.

More information about the High-Performance Center Green Materials for Hydrogen - GreenMat4H2:

Fraunhofer IWKS and Fraunhofer LBF are pooling their expertise in the High-Performance Center Hydrogen Hesse "GreenMat4H2" to develop concepts for a sustainable, geopolitically independent, efficient and safe hydrogen economy. The entire life cycle of products and systems in a hydrogen economy is taken into account, from production, storage and transportation through to use and recycling. The Fraunhofer LBF is focusing on the reliability and operational stability of systems charged with hydrogen; the Fraunhofer IWKS on the circularity and recyclability of components.

In the Rhine-Main region and beyond, the Hydrogen-Performance Center Hesse has established itself as a competence center and exchange platform for players in the hydrogen economy.