BORDEM® H2

BORDEM® H2 is a coating system specifically developed and used as a migration barrier against hydrogen diffusion.
The fully amorphous microstructure of the coating creates a dense and uniform barrier that effectively protects metallic components against hydrogen permeation, embrittlement, and leakage.
BORDEM® H2 is a technically and economically compelling alternative to gold coatings in hydrogen environments.

Operating Principle

Why Amorphous Structures Provide Protection.

The protective effect of BORDEM® H2 is based on its amorphous structure. Unlike crystalline metallic surfaces, amorphous coatings do not contain the regular grain boundaries and dislocations that serve as preferred diffusion pathways for hydrogen. The hydrogen diffusion coefficient of the as-plated BORDEM® H2 coating is significantly lower than that of heat-treated coatings. The greater the coating thickness, the higher the achievable reduction in permeation. Therefore, BORDEM® H2 is tailored with an application-specific coating thickness.

Important: BORDEM® H2 achieves its maximum barrier performance in the amorphous state. The coating is applied without post-deposition heat treatment to preserve the amorphous structure and its diffusion barrier properties.​

Benefits

• Amorphous, low-porosity coating structure — no grain boundaries acting as diffusion pathways.
• Reliable reduction of hydrogen permeation — verified by electrochemical permeation testing.
• Uniform coating even on complex geometries — including internal bores, valve seats and membrane surfaces.
• Application-specific thickness adjustment — tailored to pressure level and exposure duration.
• High corrosion resistance — (NSS, DIN EN ISO 9227)
• Cost-effective alternative to gold — comparable barrier performance at significantly lower costs.
• Industrial scalability — from individual parts to series production with reproducible process quality. ​

Typical Applications

BORDEM® H2 is used wherever metallic components are continuously exposed to gaseous or dissolved hydrogen:​

• Sensors and membranes (H₂ pressure sensors, transmitters)
• Valves and fittings (high-pressure hydrogen systems, filling stations)
• Sealing systems and sealing surfaces (metal seals, flange connections)
• Components for electrolyzers and fuel cells
• Precision components with diffusion requirements (pressure vessels, hydrogen pipelines)
• Replacement for gold coatings in H₂ applications (same functionality with improved cost efficiency)