Research areas
- Physical Sciences
Contact
Phone: (+34) 943 212800
Available for external users?
Yes
Description
A unique facility for studying the embrittlement of metallic materials in high-pressure hydrogen atmospheres. It comprises a 250 kN mechanical testing machine with a chamber pressurised to 550 bar, enabling the characterisation of behaviour under tension, compression, bending and fatigue, as well as fracture toughness, under conditions representative of hydrogen storage and transport. It is key to developing design criteria and predictive models that ensure the reliability of tanks, pipework and components in the hydrogen economy.
Equipment
- Servo-hydraulic mechanical testing system (250 kN) for static and dynamic testing up to 10 Hz
- Pressurised environmental chamber up to 550 bar, compatible with H₂, He, CH₄ and mixtures
- High-pressure vessel with integrated sensors (load cell and strain gauges inside)
- Pressure booster and complete gas system
- 2-tonne gantry crane for handling and maintenance
- Research room with a sealed chamber, forced ventilation and safety sensors for hydrogen, plus a separate control room.
Services
- Tensile, compression, bending and fatigue tests (S–N curves, crack propagation, KIC toughness) in the presence of high-pressure hydrogen
- Studies of hydrogen embrittlement in metallic materials and joints
- Validation of new materials and heat treatments
- Development and calibration of models for crack growth and mechanical reliability in a hydrogen environment
- Support for the design of H₂ storage tanks and components for storage and transport (design criteria, service life)
- Collaboration on competitive projects and R&D services for companies in the target sectors.
Location
CEIT
Miramon Building, Parque Tecnológico de San Sebastián, Paseo Mikeletegi, Nº 48, 20009, Donostia - San Sebastián, SPAIN
Other info
Green hydrogen:
- Green hydrogen production
- Decarbonisation technologies
Application sectors
- Aeronautics and other advanced hydrogen applications.
- Automotive
- Automotive
- Manufacturers of H₂ tanks and pipework
- Rail
- Energy generation and storage
- Oil & gas
- Steel industry and structural steel manufacturing
- Heavy transport and hydrogen mobility
Industry plan
- IRABAZI · Automotive components
