CRYSTAL

Control of risk for hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in steels for automotive applications.

The CRYSTAL project, coordinated by Eurecat, aims to reduce the hydrogen embrittlement risk in high strength steel parts for the automotive industry. The project will use a novel solid-state gas sensor to quantitatively measure in-situ the hydrogen absorbed during the production of steel parts and during their service life. On the other hand, the CRYSTAL project will also define and determine the best methodology to evaluate HE during steel production and life span of the components.

To determine which is the test that allows better analysis of the effect of hydrogen on high-strength steels, laboratory tests, life simulation tests and real plant tests will be carried out. In addition, a new test based on the mechanics of failure will be developed to quickly and efficiently calculate the dependence of the resistance to the generation and propagation of a crack on the hydrogen content absorbed in the steel.

The main objective of the project is to develop new experimental tools and methodologies that allow predicting the useful life of automobile parts manufactured with high-strength steels in the face of the phenomenon of hydrogen embrittlement. It will also make it possible to determine the hydrogen content that directly affects the mechanical properties of steel, in order to design new steels and coatings less susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, in order to manufacture safer automotive components.

The consortium of the project, which counts with the participation of the Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit of Eurecat, is formed by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) from Italy, the Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques (CRM) from France, ArcelorMittal from France, VoestAlpine from Austria and Letomec from Italy.