OCAS: Department of Surface Engineering
R&D Centre

General expertise of the research group

At the department of surface engineering, OCAS focusses on applied research and development concerning surface preparation, coating processes, morphologies, and other surface aspects such as corrosion. Supported by a state-of-the-art lab, OCAS can perform a full characterisation of surfaces besides several tools for testing surface properties and performing surface exposure and accelerated degradation tests. On the semi-industrial plating line (electrodeposition), OCAS can make samples for customers and assist in projects looking to, e.g.: alternative electrolytes, optimisation of process parameters or improvement of coating morphology including all related analyses thereof.

Specific hydrogen- related expertise & research topics

  • Applied R&D on the interaction between hydrogen and materials
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the metallurgical phenomena
  • Modelling of interaction at the interface of hydrogen and substrate material: diffusion, adsorption kinetics, saturation
  • Numerical simulations for prediction of lifetime in a hydrogen environment
  • Coatings for H-barriers
  • Corrosion testing in hydrogen related circumstances
  • Hydrogen ingress during electrochemical coating processes (Process simulations on electroplating pilot line: https://vimeo.com/458463355)
  • Hydrogen effusion from substrate materials during degassing
  • Enamelling and hydrogen-related issues (fish scale)

Available equipment/tools

All analytical equipment for measuring hydrogen content, in and through materials. OCAS is accredited for this analysis and qualified to work with deuterium.

  • See equipment as specified in section Metallurgy
  • State of the art lab for surface characterisation
  • Techniques for appearance, roughness, hardness, 2D/3D-topography, …

International collaborations

  • OCAS mainly works on a bilateral agreement between national or international customers. Different extends are possible, from a single measurement up to a dedicated research program. OCAS aims to accelerate the R&D at the customer, giving support by sharing competences and specific equipment.

Participating in FL/B/EU funded projects with H2 related research

  • Open to collaborate in funded projects
  • FORGE – Development of novel coating materials for a sustainable future (Evaluation of hydrogen pick up and hydrogen embrittlement) – H2020-NMBP-ST-IND-2018-2020.
  • NOHENTRY – Reuse of existing pipeline systems for H2 transport via surface functionalisations inhibiting Hydrogen entry – ETF 2021

Main relevant publications

  1. Investigation of hydrogen trapping in retained austenite via deuterium charging at high temperature. L Moli-Sanchez, Z Zermout, L Duprez. Proceedings 3rd International Conference on Metals and Hydrogen, May 2018, Ghent, Belgium
  2. Hydrogen embrittlement of 4 martensitic steels with strength levels above 1000 MPa. L. MoliSanchez, Z. Zermout, L. Duprez, L. Malet. (Proceedings SteelyHydrogen 2014)
  3. Effect of in-situ hydrogen charging on the mechanical properties of advanced high strength steels. T. Depover, D. Pérez Escobar, E. Wallaert, Z. Zermout. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Vol. 39 (2014) pp. 4647–4656
  4. Hydrogen embrittlement in various steels with strength levels above 1000 MPa. L Duprez, M Arafin, F Van den Abeele, N Bernier. Joint HYDROGENIUS and I2CNER International Workshop on Hydrogen – Materials Interactions 2012 Kyushu University
  5. Combined thermal desorption spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction study of hydrogen trapping in cold deformed TRIP steel. D. Perez Escobar, T. Depover, L Duprez, K. Verbeken and M. Verhaege. (2012) ACTA MATERIALIA. 60(6-7). p.2593-2605
  6. Thermal desorption spectroscopy study of the interaction between hydrogen and different microstructural constituents in lab cast Fe-C alloys. D. Pérez Escobar, T. Depover, E. Wallaert, L. Duprez, M. Verhaege, K. Verbeken. Corrosion Science. Vol. 65 (2012) pp. 199-208
  7. Evaluation of hydrogen trapping in high strength steels by thermal desorption spectroscopy. D. Perez Escobar, K Verbeken, L Duprez, M Verhaege (2012) MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING. 551. p.50-58
  8. Internal and surface damage of multiphase steels and pure iron after electrochemical hydrogen charging. D Perez Escobar, C Minambres, L Duprez, K Verbeken, M Verhaege (2011) CORROSION SCIENCE. 53(10). p.3166-3176
  9. Selecting hydrogen embrittlement resistant materials by means of the disc rupture test. Elke Leunis, Lode Duprez. 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2010, Essen / Germany

Contact persons

Steven Keyzer
Steven.keyzer@ocas.technology

Philippe Legros
Philippe.legros@ocas.technology

OCAS | Department of Surface Engineering

OCAS Zelzate, President John F. Kennedylaan 3, 9060 Zelzate

OCAS Zwijnaarde, Technologiepark Techlane A2, building 48, 9052 Zwijnaarde

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