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 the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is building capability in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing and hydrogen technologies, driven by the national net zero strategy. Battery gigafactory projects, electric vehicle plants and research centres such as the Faraday Institution support growing demand for cell design, battery management and recycling expertise. Hydrogen projects in Teesside, Scotland and the North West explore production, storage and fuel cell applications. Engineers in these areas work with automotive manufacturers, energy companies and research bodies.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £537 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies are relevant to electromobility, battery and hydrogen engineering qualifications?
Relevant UK bodies include the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Chartered registration is managed through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so confirm with the relevant institution how your study would be considered.
Are electromobility and battery skills in demand with UK employers, and do private qualifications count?
UK employers in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, energy storage and hydrogen projects look for practical technical skills and relevant experience. A private qualification can demonstrate specialist knowledge, but employers decide how much to rely on it. Project evidence and hands-on competence are generally what carry the most weight.
Can I study this from the UK while working, and what should I check about time and funding?
Yes, programmes are fully online, so you can study from anywhere in the UK without a student visa. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is needed. An assigned technical tutor supports you throughout. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible depending on your employer. Check the hours involved against your working week.
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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