The European project H2FORM3G, coordinated by Eurecat Technology Centre, is studying the effect of hydrogen in the manufacturing of third-generation advanced high-strength steel components for its implementation in the design of lightweight vehicles.
It is well known that the use of high-strength steels allows for a weight reduction in vehicles by 10-20% due to their superior mechanical properties. However, these steels are also more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, leading to premature fracture of components manufactured from these steels.
For this reason, the main objective of the H2FORM3G project is to provide the necessary tools to prevent the risk of crack generation during the shaping of automotive components. To achieve this goal, the project will combine comprehensive studies of the effect of hydrogen on the microstructure of steels with advanced characterisation methodologies, such as the use of synchrotron radiation and predictive models.
As highlighted by the project coordinator and head of the Corrosion and Degradation Line of Eurecat’s Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit, Sílvia Molas, “the new characterisation methodologies and predictive models that will be studied in the project will contribute to accelerating the design and optimisation of lighter steel automotive components, while also enhancing safety in the event of a collision due to a better understanding of the behaviour of these materials during forming, which will help to prevent potential crack generation.”
The project, with a total budget of almost 2.9 million euros, is funded by the European Union’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), with the aim of contributing to the advancement of the European Green Deal roadmap.
The H2FORM3G consortium is composed by entities from four European countries: Spain, France, Austria, and Italy. The partners are: Eurecat, synchrotron Alba-Cells, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées Bretagne, Arcelormittal Maizières Research, Voestalpine Stahl, Centro Richerche Fiat, MA SRL, Letomec, Université de Bretagne Sud, Universitá di Pisa and Institut de la Corrosion Sasu. The consortium includes technology centers, universities and research institutes, steel sector producers and suppliers, automotive companies, and a spin-off company.
Photograph credit: ArcelorMittal
