Description
This suite tests gaseous hydrogen permeability in metal, ceramic, composite and polymer samples, including coatings.
The hydrogen permeation suite quantifies how hydrogen is absorbed, transported, and transmitted through solid materials under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. It enables the systematic characterisation of a wide range of materials, from polymers and composites to metals, ceramics, and coated components, across application-relevant pressures and temperatures.
It replicates real-world pressures and temperatures required for hydrogen storage, transportation and use. This critical data can inform safe and accelerated design of components for applications such as energy infrastructure, aerospace, and high-temperature hydrogen systems.
By exposing one side of a test specimen to hydrogen at a known pressure while maintaining the opposite side under vacuum or low pressure, it allows the hydrogen that diffuses through the material to be measured as a function of time.
The suite comprises two rigs:
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The manometric rig infers permeation from the pressure rise in downstream gaseous volume.
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The spectrometric rig uses mass spectrometers to directly detect hydrogen.
Using these measurements, we can derive material hydrogen transport properties, including permeability, permeation flux, diffusivity, and solubility.
By repeating experiments under different conditions, these systems provide critical data for assessing material suitability, durability, and barrier performance in hydrogen-rich environments.
Uses / Applications
Used by organisations working in:
• hydrogen transport and storage,
• hydrogen-powered aerospace and propulsion,
• energy infrastructure and heat systems,
• advanced manufacturing and coatings,
• nuclear and other demanding-environment applications.
On hydrogen-exposed infrastructure such as:
• pipelines,
• storage systems,
• valves,
• seals,
• heat exchangers,
• coated components,
• gas turbines,
• aerospace systems.
To model robust permeation data for material down-selection, qualification, barrier assessment and validation of modelling approaches under representative service conditions. And subsequently inform material design, material selection, manufacturing, modelling, environmental durability assessment and safety qualification for the hydrogen economy.
MANOMETRIC HYDROGEN PERMEABILITY TESTER
Measures hydrogen permeability of polymer and composite material coupons up to a pressure of 6bar and 70°C temperature. This manometric (or pressure-rise) method is when you apply a controlled pressure differential across a test specimen and monitor the resulting pressure change over time.
Three diffusion chambers allow parallel testing, precise temperature control of the sample environment, and an integrated vacuum system to establish low-pressure conditions.
Automated operation is supported by built-in software with touchscreen control for test setup, real-time data acquisition, and analysis.
It is suitable for characterising polymeric films, coatings, laminates, and similar barrier materials in accordance with standards such as ISO 15105-1, ISO 2782, and ASTM D1434.
SPECTROMETRIC HYDROGEN PERMEABILITY TESTER
Measures hydrogen permeability of metals and ceramics, including coated components, at conditions up to 150bar and 1,100°C. Using a static mass spectroscopic method, the system can test one sample at a time: a disk of 48mm diameter, clamped between a high-pressure, hydrogen-rich region and a vacuum region where the mass spectrometer is located.
Hydrogen permeation creates changes in the gas composition within the vacuum region. This is monitored over time to determine permeability or permeation flux and flow. Repeating experiments at varying levels of pressure and temperature enables you to quantify the hydrogen transport properties for each material.
