Materials Center Leoben Uses HA 100 for Precise Material Analysis Under Hydrogen Influence

MCL sets new standards in materials testing

The Materials Center Leoben (MCL) is a leading research institute in materials science, specializing in the development, optimization and characterization of innovative materials for industrial applications. MCL was founded in 1999 as a limited liability company and has established itself as a competent partner to the industry from the very beginning. The owners reflect its strong academic roots: The Montanuniversität Leoben, Joanneum Research, Leoben Holding, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Vienna University of Technology and the Graz University of Technology. As a materials and surface competence center, MCL supports its partners in the development of high-performance and sustainable materials, particularly in the fields of microelectronics, mechanical engineering, aerospace and energy technology.

A key area of research is analyzing the hydrogen compatibility of materials. Hydrogen, as an environmentally friendly energy source, can cause damage to the microstructure of materials and thus influence their mechanical properties. MCL is therefore concentrating on research into hydrogen-material interactions and the associated material changes caused by hydrogen exposure. Based on the results obtained, methods for optimizing materials and methods for the safe design of components for hydrogen-rich environments are being developed.

MCL also operates an ISO IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratory with the most important test methods for mechanical testing of metallic materials such as hardness testing, tensile testing, fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth and fatigue testing. MCL also offers solutions in numerical simulation and model-based material development to accurately predict material behavior and make processes more efficient. Failure analyses and material analysis are key to identifying potential weak points at an early stage and increasing the durability of components. Through interdisciplinary expertise and close cooperation with industry and science, the institute contributes significantly to the development of innovative and sustainable material solutions for the future.

Efficient and precise materials testing

Thanks to the HA 100, MCL can now carry out complex mechanical tests under high-pressure hydrogen and other hydrogen gas mixtures depending on the test temperature from -50 °C to 150 °C. This high-precision testing system solution enables MCL to specialize in fracture mechanics under the influence of hydrogen, among other things, while at the same time successfully mastering the challenges associated with the influence of hydrogen.

With around 25 years of experience in the field of materials testing, MCL already has extensive methodological expertise. The MCL also operates an ISO IEC 17025 accredited test laboratory with currently 18 test procedures in the field of mechanical testing, which ensures the provision of high-quality and reliable tests using standardized test procedures. MCL also plans to include hydrogen atmosphere test methods in the accreditation. By using the HA100, MCL now has a competitive advantage. The reason: The many years of experience with standard test procedures can now also be applied immediately in a hydrogen atmosphere, thus increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the services. MCL can also deliver fast and reliable results and help its customers to develop safer and better performing materials and products. As a result, MCL is ideally positioned to meet the increasing demands of the industry and drive forward the development of innovative materials.