Hydrogen Embrittlement Protection Coatings
The project Hydrogen Embrittlement Protection Coating (HEPCO) addresses the critical aspects of hydrogen permeation and embrittlement by developing novel strategies for coating and characterizing hydrogen permeation barrier layers for valves and pumps used for hydrogen storage and transport applications.
The project Hydrogen Embrittlement Protection Coating (HEPCO) addresses the critical aspects of hydrogen permeation and embrittlement by developing novel strategies for coating and characterizing hydrogen permeation barrier layers for valves and pumps used for hydrogen storage and transport applications. This is a joint initiative between MPI-SusMat, NTTF Coatings, Cambridge Nanolitic Ltd. (CNL) and Cranfield University (UK). The Al2O3 coatings, which are extremely attractive due to their low hydrogen diffusivity and permeability are developed through an innovative approach combining electro-chemical oxidation (ECO) technology (patented by Cambridge Nanolitic Ltd.), which forms nanoceramic layers of the coating. A unique feature of this coating deposition method is the formation of the much desired and thermodynamically stable α-Al2O3 phase in addition to γ-
Al2O3 nearly in equal fraction and at lower coating thicknesses, making them more attractive and economically superior to conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings. Structural and mechanical characterization of the coatings is carried out to investigate the fracture and adhesion properties of the coatings using state of the art facilities. An additional novelty of the project involves sealing the defects in the deposited Al2O3 coating by polymeric sealants to further enhance the hydrogen barring effect. The overall goal is to achieve conformal coatings with high hydrogen permeation reduction factor coupled with attractive mechanical properties such as high fracture toughness and tribological properties.The project Hydrogen Embrittlement Protection Coating (HEPCO) addresses the critical aspects of hydrogen permeation and embrittlement by developing novel strategies for coating and characterizing hydrogen permeation barrier layers for valves and pumps used for hydrogen storage and transport applications. This is a joint initiative between MPI-SusMat, NTTF Coatings, Cambridge Nanolitic Ltd. (CNL) and Cranfield University (UK). The Al2O3 coatings, which are extremely attractive due to their low hydrogen diffusivity and permeability are developed through an innovative approach combining electro-chemical oxidation (ECO) technology (patented by Cambridge Nanolitic Ltd.), which forms nanoceramic layers of the coating. A unique feature of this coating deposition method is the formation of the much desired and thermodynamically stable α-
Al2O3 phase in addition to γ-
Al2O3 nearly in equal fraction and at lower coating thicknesses, making them more attractive and economically superior to conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings. Structural and mechanical characterization of the coatings is carried out to investigate the fracture and adhesion properties of the coatings using state of the art facilities. An additional novelty of the project involves sealing the defects in the deposited Al2O3 coating by polymeric sealants to further enhance the hydrogen barring effect. The overall goal is to achieve conformal coatings with high hydrogen permeation reduction factor coupled with attractive mechanical properties such as high fracture toughness and tribological properties.
