Mon, 05 January, 2026
There is still time for TWI Industrial Members to join our joint industry project dedicated to the creation of ‘Guidelines for Testing Thermoplastic Materials’ Compatibility for High Pressure Hydrogen Service.’
Many industries are seeing gaseous hydrogen as a future energy solution. However, to achieve this we still need to overcome challenges related to the safe and efficient production, delivery, storage, conversion and end-use application of hydrogen through the employment of different materials.
The effects of hydrogen on failure modes in metal has been an active area of industrial research for many years, but the effect of hydrogen on the failure of polymeric materials has been less widely studied. As a result, there are no standards or well-established testing procedures that allow users to assess the suitability of a polymer for hydrogen service.
This project builds upon the findings of a previous TWI Core Research project in order to develop best practice for quantifying the effect of hydrogen on polymeric pipes, seals and vessel materials over a range of service temperatures, pressures, humidity, and weathering conditions.
Aims
The aims of the project are to create a best practice guidance document that will cover the current industrial state-of-the-art with respect to polymer selection and qualification for hydrogen service. The project will identify any gaps while comparing and contrasting existing test methods, and proposing new or improved methods as appropriate, including laboratory trials on the most promising methods, to benchmark their suitability.
Benefits
Project sponsors will not only be able to drive the direction of this research to suit their industry needs but will also have access to the project findings, which will reduce the need for organisations to make their own subjective judgements regarding test methods for selecting and qualifying polymeric materials for high pressure hydrogen service.
The guidance developed during the project will be created using information gathered from companies facing similar challenges, saving costs for the project sponsors. The final guidance may go forward to form the basis of internationally-accepted standards, which will allow the Sponsors the opportunity to shape future practice, should they so wish.
Project Sponsors' meeting at TWI Cambridge
Sponsors
The existing sponsors of the project met late last year to discuss the project, but there is still time for you to join the project too. You can find out more about the project and register your interest, to become a sponsor, here:
https://www.twi-global.com/what-we-do/research-and-technology/research-programmes/joint-industry-projects/guidelines-for-testing-thermoplastic-materials-compatibility-for-high-pressure-hydrogen-service