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Hydrogen Embrittlement&Corrosion Resistant Coatings for Ultra High Strength Automotive Steels-HyCoat

Reference number
Coordinator SWERIM AB
Funding from Vinnova SEK 793 000
Project duration October 2024 - June 2025
Status Completed
Venture Impact Innovation Metals & Minerals - Program-specific efforts Vinnova
Call Impact Innovation: Feasibility studies within Technological Action Areas in the program Metals & Minerals

Important results from the project

The objective set from the beginning of HyCoat was achieved. The project aimed to develop aluminum-based PVD-coated corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement-resistant coatings for ultra-high strength steels in the automotive industry. The results showed that PVD can be used as an alternative coating method to apply Al-based coatings to ultra-high strength steels while meeting the requirements for corrosion protection and reducing the risk of hydrogen embrittlement.

Expected long term effects

The research carried out in this project is expected to promote global economic growth for steel and vehicle manufacturers in the long term, which will ensure more sustainable consumption and production of ultra-high strength steels and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, which is the main cause of climate change.

Approach and implementation

The project progressed according to plan and no major deviations from the plan occurred. Material delivery, PVD coatings and all testing were carried out according to plan. Unexpected challenges with the adhesion of the PVD coatings arose, which limited the possibility of performing cyclic corrosion tests on deformed samples. Instead, more electrochemical tests and cyclic tests on undeformed samples were carried out.

The project description has been provided by the project members themselves and the text has not been looked at by our editors.

Last updated 26 September 2025

Reference number 2024-02728