Coatings for ultra-high strength steels in hydrogen environment

Abstract

This Bachelor’s thesis conducts a literature review on coatings capable of reducing hydrogen permeation into steel components, and the suitability of their preparation methods for an ultra-high strength steel substrate. The realisation of a hydrogen economy requires novel storage and transport solutions to allow for increased efficiency through introducing higher pressure for an improved gaseous hydrogen density. This could be accomplished with the use of ultra-high strength steel, but the phenomenon of hydrogen embrittlement has limited the use of high-strength steels in hydrogen environment. Hydrogen permeation barrier coatings are expected to solve this issue.

This work offers insight into hydrogen permeation reduction capability of various metallic, ceramic, and polymer-based coatings, and their viability in the scope of hydrogen storage and transport. It provides an overview of current research on hydrogen permeation barrier coatings, coating methods, and future research prospects. The thesis concludes that metallic and ceramic coatings have limitations regarding material properties and preparation methods, making them unattractive for large-scale application. Polymer-based coatings have the potential to be the main type of hydrogen barrier coating in the future, and they are expected to play a significant role in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen applications.