PSI - Issue 77

Niels Grigat et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 77 (2026) 365–375 Niels Grigat / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2026) 000 – 000

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multilayer laminate structures can attain both elevated mechanical strength and effective resistance to hydrogen permeation. The continuous manufacturing concept developed within this work enables scalable production of FRP hydrogen pipelines by integrating extrusion, winding, and consolidation in a single process chain. This approach has been demonstrated to reduce manufacturing complexity and ensure consistent structural quality over extended pipe lengths, thereby addressing one of the key challenges in the industrial implementation of composite pipelines. While the numerical and pr e liminary experimental findings highlight the strong potential of FRP systems for hydrogen transport, further validation is still ongoing within the project HyInnoNets2 of the hydrogen cluster at RWTH Aachen University. [18] The focus of forthcoming research activities will be on conducting extensive experimental testing of the manufactured prototypes under real hydrogen operating conditions. This will include long term permeation studies, fatigue analysis, and burst tests. These investigations are imperative to verify the predictive simulation models and to confirm the long-term durability and safety of FRP hydrogen pipelines in practical applications. In conclusion, the work establishes a comprehensive foundation for the development of next-generation pipeline materials that combine lightweight design, structural integrity, and sustainability. The sustained research and testing endeavours will contribute to the advancement of FRP technology towards full-scale industrial implementation and support the broader transition to a hydrogen-based energy infrastructure. Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework of the Zukunftscluster Wasserstoff, as part of the research project HyInnoNets2 (03ZU2115DA). The project is carried out in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners aiming to develop advanced fibre-reinforced pipeline technologies for hydrogen transport. [18] References [1] European Commission. The European Green Deal , 2021 [2] Creos et al. Extending the European Hydrogen Backbone : A European hydro-gen infrastructure vision covering 21 countries. [3] GPA Engineering. Hydrogen in the gas distribution networks : A kickstart project as an input into the development of a National Hydrogen Strategy for Australia. [4] J. Humpenöder. Gaspermeation von Faserverbunden mit Polymermatrices. Universität Karlsruhe, Dissertation. 1997. DOI: 10.5445/IR/6597 [5] International Energy Agency. Energy Technology Perspectives 2023. [6] K.C. Jois. Process-Induced Variations and Their Impact on Structural Properties of Fibre Reinforced Pressure Vessels. Dissertation. RWTH Aachen University. 2024 [7] K. C. Jois, T. Mölling, J. Schuster, N. Grigat, T. Gries. Towpreg manufacturing and characterization for filament winding application. Wiley, Polymer Composites, 2024. DOI: 10.1002/pc.28311 [8] Xu. Hydrogen embrittlement of carbon steels and their welds. In: R. P. Gangloff et al. (Hrsg.). Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of materials in energy technologies Volume 1 , 2012 ; S. 526–561. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857093899.3.526 [9] Creos, DESFA, Elering, Enagás, Energinet, Eustream, FGSZ, Fluxys Belgium, Gasgrid Finland, Gasunie, GAZ-SYSTEM, GCA, GNI, GRTgaz, National Grid, NET4GAS, Nordion Energi, OGE, ONTRAS, Plinovodi, Snam, TAG, Teréga. Extending the European Hydrogen Backbone , April 2021 [10] Smith, D.; Frame, B.; Anovitz, L.; Makelson, C. Feasibility of Using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Pipelines for Hydrogen Delivery , ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference, Canada, 17.-21. July 2016 [13] Uozumi, Tadashi; Ohtani, Akio; Nakai, Asami; Tanigawa, Motohiro; Nishida, Tatsuhiko; Miura, Takahiro. Non-Crimp Tubular Preforming with Automation System and High Productivity , Journal of Mechanics Engineering and Automation (2015), Issue 5, pp. 435-439, 2015 [14] Schäkel, Martin; Hosseini, S.M. Amin; Janssen, Henning; Baran, Ismet; Brecher, Christian. Temperature analysis for laser-assisted tape winding process of multi-layered composite pipes , 2nd CIRP Conference on Composite Material Parts Manufacturing (CIRP-CCMPM 2019), Procedia CIRP 85 (2019), pp. 171-176, 2019 [15] Fangueiro, Raul. Fibrous and Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications, Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles, 2011 [11] Pipelife Nederland P.V. SoluForce H2T – Unique in the world of hydrogen transport and a global first , 2020 [12] TCR Composites Inc., Ogden, Utah, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika. Prepreg vs. Wet Wind Comparison , 2016

[16] Gupta, Ram B. Hydrogen Fuel: Production, Transport and Storage , Taylor and Francis Group, 2009 [17] European Industrial Gas Association. Hydrogen Transportation Pipelines , IGC Doc 121/14, 2014 [18] Hydrogen Cluster SupplHyInno Rhineland. Clusters4Future Hydrogen. https://h2-cluster.de/. 30.09.2025