Within Crystal project, the Parters of the project analyzed the Hydrogen Embrittlement risk in four Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS). These Steels present exceptional mechanical properties which make them perfect for vehicle lightweighting, improving safety and car efficiency.

The flip side of utilizing Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) is the risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement. For this reason, the experiments carried out in the Crystal Project have been important: it is essential to gain a better understanding of mechanisms of hydrogen uptake and the resulting material performance.

After 36 months of investigation, Crystal RFCS project has just finished on June 2023.

Thanks to the Crystal Project the use of Advanced High Strenght Steels becomes safer! Hydrogen Embrittelment susceptibility of the examined steels is now more confidend. Now we are ready to move drive towards sustainability by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Letomec has collaborated during the tests, especially by analyzing diffusible hydrogen adsorption using the innovative equipment HELIOS 4 Hot Probe. HELIOS 4 Hot Probe is a unique equipment capable of directly analyzing the amount of hydrogen adsorbed on coated steels. Similar to a real stoplight, it can determine whether the hot stamped part is suitable for installation in our cars or not. Letomec has already demonstrated its capability previously during the FORMPLANET project. The equipment was also recognized by the European Innovation Radar with a Market Creation Potential of the innovation: Very high!

Letomec would like to thank the whole consortium for this challenging collaboration, Eurecat (the coordinator), AMMR, Centro Ricerche Fiat, CRM group and VAS.

If you want to know more, have a look to the final workshop.