Hydrogen is a possible alternative to fossil fuels in achieving a sustainable energy future. Unlike other, older energy sources, the suitability of materials for storing, distributing, and sealing systems in a hydrogen environment has not been comprehensively studied. Aging, the extended exposure of a material to an environmental condition, with hydrogen causes degradation and damage to materials that differ from other technologies. Improved understanding of the physical and chemical mechanisms of degradation due to a gaseous hydrogen atmosphere allows us to better select and develop materials that are best suited to carrier and sealing applications. Damage to materials from aging is inevitable with exposure to high-pressure hydrogen. This review discusses the specific mechanisms of different categories of aging of storage and sealing materials in a hydrogen environment. Additionally, this article discusses different laboratory test methods to simulate each type of aging. It covers the limitations of current research in determining material integrity through existing techniques for aging experiments and explores the latest developments in the field. Important improvements are also suggested in terms of material development and testing procedures.
Keywords: aging; hydrogen; leak; pipeline; polymer; storage and sealing materials; sustainability.