National Hydrogen Research Center for Metallic Materials

Hydrogen as an energy carrier has great potential to transform the metallurgical, automotive and energy industries towards carbon neutrality. In order to support the industry, Swerim has started the National Hydrogen Research Center for Metallic Materials at Swerim.

Hydrogen technologies will be decisive for realising the transition to a fossil-free society, which is why we must learn more about how hydrogen impacts metallic materials. Swerim has the knowledge and equipment and we are well acquainted with customers' requirements. A broad range of research projects concerning hydrogen are already under way at Swerim in collaboration with the industry.

Hydrogen's impact on metals

Swerim is constantly developing the center's test facility according to industry needs. We test mechanical properties in hydrogen environments in both Kista and Luleå. The facility, one of few in the world, will strengthen the competitive advantage of Swedish industry and enable shorter lead times for verifying materials and components.

Different applications require handling of hydrogen under different pressures and temperatures. Swerim meet the needs of industry by offering testing under both high and low temperatures and pressures up to 1000 bar.

Large-scale gas research facilities

1. Pilot-plant halls, 2. Demo Plant I, 3. Demo Plant II, 4. Gas Cleaning Plant, 5. ATEX zones, 6. Electrolyzer, 7. Gas Holders, 8. Chem station, 9. Workshop (mechanical, electrical, instrument); A. Storage, B. Railway Track and C. Head Office.

Our research centre is equipped with state of-the-art infrastructure and innovative technology that enables seamless achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for industrial processes. This facility is the perfect platform for demonstrating and refining your technology to advance the industry to new heights.

We pride ourselves on our capacity to accommodate large-scale research pilots and demos for the metallurgy industry.

Our facilities include:

An alkaline electrolyzer with a capacity of 100 Nm3/hr H2 production
A walking beam furnace capable of processing 3 t/hr.
A dedicated compressor offering 800 Nm3/hr compression up to 25 bar, and much more.
ATEX zones are the key to demonstrating large scale gas processing under industrial conditions. Swerim has flexible use zones in the 60-320 m2 floor space up to 15 m in height.
Product sheet: Large-scale gas research facilities for the metallurgy industry

Our comprehensive infrastructure ensures that we can meet and exceed the most demanding cases with relative ease.

Mechanical testing with hydrogen gas

To be able to manufacture components that can be used safely and reliably in hydrogen-rich environments, a good knowledge of the material's performance in such environments is essential. You find this at Swerim.

Testing capability

Tensile testing
Slow Strain Rate Testing (SSRT)
Low Cycle Fatigue Testing (LCF)
High Cycle Fatigue Testing (HCF)
Thermo Mechanical Fatigue Testing (TMF)
Post-fracture analysis by SEM
Hydrogen quantification by TDMS
Temperature from -150 °C to 1200 °C
Gas pressure up to 1000 bar
Coming soon: H2 autoclave for fracture mechanics testing up to 1000 bars
Product sheet: Mechanical testing with hydrogen gas

Our test and demonstration facilities

Metal powder gas atomization

The test bed enables development of new alloys for metal powder applications and process development trials. The test bed offers development along the complete value chain, from idea to validation of the final product or process.

Measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity

Understanding thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity is fundamental for comprehending and optimizing heat transfer processes in a variety of applications, from industrial manufacturing to high-tech devices and renewable energy production. Specific heat capacity describes a material's ability to store energy. These measurements help ensure that materials and systems operate efficiently, safely, and energy-efficiently.

Product development of metals

Swerim provide the expertise and resources for advanced product development, from idea to finished product. Depending on your preferences, we can take on all or parts of the product development chain. When you want to increase your company's competitive strengths through innovative products, we can give you the support you need.

Joining for lightweight technologies

The test facility for lightweight technologies enables the industry to resolve issues affecting multi-material-based lightweight and high-strength structures. The test facility is flexible and combines many different technologies and methods, making it an important national resource within the field.

Pilot plant – pyrometallurgy

Our metallurgical pilot plant provides a unique testing environment where we, together with you, the customer, improve existing manufacturing processes or develop new ones. Our environmental permit also allows the handling of complex materials, while our environmental facility enables us, for example, to study both the metallurgical process and exhaust cleaning in parallel.

Pilot plant – heating and metalworking technology

Our pilot plant for heating and metalworking provides a unique testing environment where we, together with you, the customer, improve existing heating and metalworking processes or develop new ones. The facility is perfect for developing equipment and measurement methods within the steel and metal industries. It is also useful for studying reduced energy use and climate impact.

Analytical process monitoring

The test bed for analytical process monitoring develops and provides new technology for process monitoring, data analysis and optimization. Collaboration between Swerim and Swedish ICT has enabled unique skills and technologies to be developed, which are now being offered to both companies and academia.

Laboratory process simulation for steel and metal production

Swerim’s test bed for process simulation is a useful resource when it comes to simulating all critical processes in the manufacture of advanced metallic materials on a laboratory scale, from casting to finishing (final heat treatment).

Agglomeration

Our agglomeration lab provides the industry with research and development facilities within agglomeration and pretreatment. This includes everything from product development of fine-grained raw materials to recycling of metal-bearing residual products such as sludges and dust. Higher material efficiency is becoming ever more important.