Hive Composites Expands Testing Capability into Hydrogen Exposure and Permeation

Hydrogen will be instrumental in the global energy transition delivering clean affordable energy to consumers across transport, heat, power and industry.  The materials and infrastructure involved in its generation, transportation, distribution, and storage are presenting new challenges for the industry but also present many opportunities for composite materials.  Hive Composites has recently expanded their testing facilities to include the testing of polymeric and composite materials exposed to hydrogen. Hive are also experts in the development and testing of thermoplastic composite pipes (TCP) for hydrogen distribution.

Hydrogen exposure tests can be performed to the following conditions:

  • Media: 100% hydrogen
  • Pressure: up to 100 bar
  • Temperature: ambient to 70˚C
  • Tests: ageing, Rapid Gas Decompression, cyclic pressure

Hydrogen can permeate through polymeric materials much faster than methane or other gases due to its small molecular size. This needs to be quantified so that the amount of hydrogen permeating through components can be calculated.  Hive can conduct permeation testing with hydrogen and generate data on the performance of homogeneous materials or layered materials with permeation barriers.

Hydrogen permeation test conditions:

  • Media: 100% hydrogen
  • Pressure: up to 100 bar
  • Temperature: ambient to 70˚C
  • Configuration: liners, pipe samples, flat plates

Pressure testing is essential for evaluating the performance and integrity of pipes, tanks and other vessels and systems.  Hive can perform burst and cyclic pressure testing to recognized standards (API15S etc) or develop bespoke test programmes to assess the durability of products. This is supported with extensive expertise in product development and testing.

Pipe and tank test conditions include:

  • Media: water pressure
  • Pressure: up to 700 bar
  • Temperature: ambient to 70C
  • Tests: short-term burst, regression, cyclic pressure

Hive will be exhibiting at ICS in Milton Keynes on 4th and 5th September 2024 on stand V12 and would welcome discussion these and other product development and testing requirements.

Website: http://hivecomposites.com/