Material compatibility course in H₂
Online course of 300 hours in H₂ materials compatibility, in 6 modules covering hydrogen–material interaction, steels and metallic alloys, polymers, elastomers and composites, compatibility testing to ISO 11114-4 and CSA CHMC 1, and integrity design and management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Material compatibility course in H₂ — studying from Malta
Malta is advancing electromobility through government incentives, public transport electrification plans and the gradual expansion of charging infrastructure. The island's compact geography makes electric vehicles a practical choice, creating opportunities in charging networks, fleet management and battery servicing. Energy storage and renewable integration are also priorities as the country works to reduce its reliance on imported fuel. Engineers in this field typically work with energy providers, vehicle importers, public agencies and technology firms developing charging and storage solutions.
Fees for Malta: €644 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies oversee electromobility and energy-related engineering?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the title 'engineer' in Malta. Energy policy and regulation involve the Malta Resources Authority and the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, while transport electrification is supported by Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so its recognition is determined by employers or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta use skills in batteries, EV infrastructure or hydrogen?
Malta's market for electromobility is driven largely by public transport electrification, charging infrastructure, energy utilities and fleet operators, with hydrogen still at an early stage locally. Many roles connect to EU-funded projects. Employers will look for practical experience, so pair your qualification with project evidence.
How manageable is this programme alongside a job, and how is it delivered?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. There is no need for a student visa to study from Malta. Specialist courses take around 300 hours and master's programmes 1,900, so plan your time carefully. Ask about instalment payments and whether your employer might sponsor you.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the mechanisms of interaction between hydrogen and materials.
Select steels and alloys compatible with hydrogen service.
Assess polymers, elastomers and composites for seals, liners and hoses.
Interpret compatibility tests to ISO 11114-4 and CSA CHMC 1.
Apply fracture mechanics to the design of hydrogen components.
Evaluate the repurposing of natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen.
Develop a materials specification for a hydrogen system.
Who it's for
- Materials engineers moving into hydrogen service applications.
- Asset integrity engineers responsible for gas or hydrogen infrastructure.
- Mechanical testing specialists who need to qualify materials in hydrogen.
- Hydrogen component design engineers.
- Pipeline inspectors assessing assets for hydrogen conversion.
- Supplier quality engineers in the hydrogen supply chain.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the gas transport sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11114-4 (test methods for selecting steels resistant to hydrogen embrittlement)
- ASME B31.12 (hydrogen piping and pipelines)
- ANSI/CSA CHMC 1 (test methods for evaluating material compatibility in compressed hydrogen)
- ISO 11114-1 (compatibility of cylinder and valve materials with gas contents: metallic materials)
- ISO 11114-2 (compatibility of cylinder and valve materials with gas contents: non-metallic materials)
- SAE J2579 (fuel systems in fuel cell and other hydrogen vehicles)
- ASTM G142 (tensile testing of metals in high-pressure hydrogen environments)
- ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 3 (high-pressure vessels)
- Ansys Granta Selector
- Abaqus
- Thermo-Calc
- COMSOL Multiphysics
6 modules
1.1Adsorption, absorption and diffusion of hydrogen1.2Solubility and Sieverts’ law1.3Hydrogen traps in the microstructure1.4HEDE and HELP embrittlement mechanisms1.5Blistering and high-temperature hydrogen attack1.6Influence of pressure and temperature1.7Permeation in polymers and elastomers1.8Explosive decompression in seals1.9Differences between gaseous and liquid service1.10Workshop: permeation flux through a membrane
2.1316L-type austenitic stainless steels2.2Nickel equivalent and austenite stability2.3Carbon and low-alloy steels for pipelines2.46061 aluminium alloys in liners2.5Nickel and titanium alloys2.6Welds and heat-affected zones2.7Hardness and mechanical strength limits2.8Repurposing natural gas pipelines2.9ASME B31.12 selection criteria2.10Practical exercise: material for a 700 bar valve
3.1High-density polyethylene and polyamides in liners3.2EPDM, FKM and HNBR elastomers3.3O-rings and rapid gas decompression3.4Materials for refuelling hoses3.5Carbon-fibre composites3.6Membrane and fuel-cell materials3.7Compatible lubricants and greases3.8Ageing of polymers in hydrogen3.9Selection for cryogenic service3.10Case study: seal failure in a dispenser
4.1Slow strain rate tensile testing4.2Fracture toughness in gaseous hydrogen4.3Fatigue crack growth4.4Disc test to ISO 11114-44.5Cathodic charging and electrochemical testing4.6Gas permeation testing4.7Material qualification to CSA CHMC 14.8Pressure cycling of elastomers4.9Fractographic analysis of fracture surfaces4.10Laboratory: interpreting slow strain rate tests
5.1Fatigue design with hydrogen data5.2Fracture mechanics and damage tolerance5.3Property reduction factors5.4Hydrogen barrier coatings5.5In-service inspection and monitoring5.6Pipeline integrity management5.7Material procurement specifications5.8Compatibility documentation for certification5.9Lessons from in-service failures5.10Case study: converting a gas pipeline to hydrogen
6.1Definition of service conditions6.2Identification of critical components6.3Shortlisting of candidate materials6.4Review of compatibility data6.5Qualification testing of the chosen materials6.6Fatigue life calculation6.7Technical materials specification6.8Cost and availability analysis6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Granta Selector, Abaqus, Thermo-Calc and COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: slow strain rate tests in gaseous hydrogen, rapid decompression tests on elastomers and the assessment of existing pipelines for hydrogen service. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 11114-4, ASME B31.12, ANSI/CSA CHMC 1, ISO 11114-1, ISO 11114-2, SAE J2579, ASTM G142, ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 3.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys Granta Selector, Abaqus, Thermo-Calc and COMSOL Multiphysics, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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