Hydrogen 2026: Technological Challenges and the Durability of Metallic Materials
In light of the rapid growth of the hydrogen industry, A3TS is organizing a two-day event on October 7 and 8, 2026, at the Maison de la Mécanique (Courbevoie), dedicated to the technological challenges of metallic materials. Join academic and industry experts to explore the mechanisms of durability and embrittlement, as well as innovations in heat and surface treatments that ensure the reliability of your technological choices.
A cornerstone of the energy transition, hydrogen is also a silent threat to metal structures: its high diffusivity and instability in its atomic state cause brittle fractures and loss of structural integrity.
Understanding, measuring, and anticipating these phenomena is the very purpose of this conference.
➜ Registration is now open: reserve your spot today.
➜ The call for papers is open until July 31, 2026: share your work.
Why participate in the Hydrogen 2026 event?
You will participate in:
2 days of technical discussions with experts in the field
More than 20 scientific and technological conferences
A poster area
The development of hydrogen as an energy carrier (heavy-duty mobility, industrial decarbonization) places unprecedented demands on materials. This event is the essential hub for:
Understanding the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement (HE).
Discover the latest solutions for barrier coatings and thin films.
Optimize the application and heat treatment processes in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Registration & Fees
Registration includes access to the presentations (including all materials), breaks, and two lunches.
A3TS Member: €335 (excl. tax)
Non-member: 400 € (excl. tax)
Speaker: €215 (excluding tax) (€115 excluding tax for a single day)
Student / Ph.D. candidate: 150 € (excl. tax)
Optional: Evening event on Wednesday, October 7: €70 (excluding tax)
Limited seating (200-seat auditorium)
The program's key themes
We are seeking contributions focusing on the following areas:
➤ Damage and embrittlement of metals
‧ Behavior of metallic materials in the presence of hydrogen: steels, nickel alloys, titanium, aluminum.
‧ Risks associated with manufacturing processes: embrittlement during fabrication, welding, casting, or after surface treatments.
‧ Decision support: guides for material selection, mechanical strength, corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC).
➤ Infrastructure: hydrogen storage, transportation, and applications
‧ Protection solutions: barrier coatings, preventive thermal and mechanical treatments.
‧ Compatibility: analysis of specific constraints related to high-pressure transportation and storage networks.
‧ Lifecycle management: predictive maintenance and long-term durability of existing infrastructure.
➤ Electrolyzers / fuel cells: surface functionalization
‧ Production: development of materials for electrolyzers (bipolar plates, porous layers).
‧ Specific corrosion: impact of electrolytes and durability of power generation components.
‧ Combustion: effects of direct hydrogen combustion on walls and test benches.
➤ Metrology and Integrity Monitoring
‧ Analysis and Localization: Techniques for measuring hydrogen in materials and monitoring in a hydrogen atmosphere.
‧ Standardization: Developments in standards and certification challenges.
‧ Monitoring: Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for monitoring equipment in service.
➤ Poster Area
Oral presentations will each be allotted 25 minutes. They will primarily be in French, but some may be delivered in English. To help non-French-speaking participants follow along, we recommend that speakers presenting in French use slides in English. The poster area will be set up between the conference room and the break area.
Scientific Committee for Hydrogen Days:
Chair: Jean-Yves Hihn (Marie and Louis Pasteur University)
Members: Loïc Assaud (ESPCI-PSL),Pierre Bruchet (A3TS), Yannick Cadoret (DGA), Francesco Delloro (MINES PARIS TECH),Raphael Faure (HYDRONOVA),Xavier Feaugas (UNIV. LA ROCHELLE),Alexandre Fleurentin (METALLO CORNER),Jader Furtado (AIR LIQUIDE), Micaela Goland (AIR LIQUIDE), Benoit Lefever (FRAMATOME),Virginie Moutarlier (UNIV. MARIE ET LOUIS PASTEUR),Bruno Pollet (UQTR), Joffrey Tardelli (IRT M2P),Christophe Stocky (ABS CENTRE METALLURGIQUE)