The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time, as it requires the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. In this context, hydrogen and its technologies are becoming increasingly important, especially as a clean energy source and storage medium. Plastics, or polymers, play a crucial role in the development and implementation of efficient hydrogen transportation and storage solutions.
Thanks to their special properties, plastics are an indispensable part of the energy transition. They serve as housing materials for fuel cells and tanks, are used in the refueling of automobiles with hydrogen or as seals for electrochemical converters, hoses and connecting pieces. In this respect, the analysis, characterization and service life assessment of existing and new polymer materials is of central importance for the hydrogen economy in order to successfully master the challenges of the energy transition.
Fraunhofer LBF offers analytical, physical and mechanical measurement methods for the characterization of polymers under the influence of hydrogen and other complex environmental conditions relevant in this context.
We investigate the durability of polymers and elastomers under operating conditions and offer support in material optimization, material modeling and design methods.