Nestled in the historic city of Cambridge, UK, since its inception in 1946, TWI Ltd (www.twi-global.com) has steadily evolved into a global trailblazer in the realm of research and technology. With an impressive turnover of £60 million (€69 million) in 2016, TWI is now a well-established, not-for-profit organization with a widespread presence across the UK, South East Asia, India, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the USA. Boasting a dedicated team of nearly 800 experts, they specialize in the intricate fields of joining and fabrication, material science, and structural integrity. Their comprehensive offerings span from fundamental research and contract R&D to technical consultation, engineering services, and industry-standard development, alongside comprehensive training, and qualification programs.
At TWI, our hallmark lies in our unique capacity to assemble impartial, multidisciplinary teams, proficient in both time-honoured and advanced joining technologies, to address issues throughout a product’s lifecycle. This spans everything from initial design and material selection to production, quality assurance, in-service performance, repair, and life extension. Our commitment to excellence is underscored by active participation in over 100 standards committees, ensuring we stay at the forefront of industry advancements.
With a global membership of 1,800 organizations spanning 70 countries, TWI boasts an enviable track record in delivering projects with precision, adhering to schedules, and staying within budgets. Our unique position ensures a higher-than-average likelihood of product utilization, especially when projects align closely with the needs of our diverse industrial membership.
In the world of hydrogen-related technologies, TWI is a standout. LH2CRAFT is a cornerstone project on our technology development roadmap, reflecting our unwavering commitment to the hydrogen sector. Our journey with hydrogen dates back to the 1950s when we initiated pioneering research into its impact on steel embrittlement. This foundational work expanded over the years to encompass a diverse range of materials and technologies, including alloy steels, stainless steel, and high-pressure hydrogen testing.
During the 1970s, TWI entered the domain of sour testing, simulating the environmental conditions prevalent in oil and gas production. This enabled us to assess how these conditions affect various materials. The 1980s witnessed a deeper exploration of hydrogen’s effects, particularly on nickel alloys and dissimilar metal joints. It was during this period that we acquired our first capability to conduct tests in high-pressure gaseous environments, with a specific focus on low alloy steels used in petrochemical applications. This facility underwent a significant revamp in the 2010s, aligning with the surging interest in hydrogen as a transport fuel.
More recently, TWI has unveiled a state-of-the-art permeation laboratory, a critical asset for unravelling the intricate processes by which hydrogen and other substances permeate through both metallic and non-metallic systems. This knowledge is pivotal in understanding how materials react when exposed to aggressive environments and in establishing a nexus between non-metallic properties and permeation behaviour.
With a rich history of pioneering research in the realm of hydrogen, TWI stands at the vanguard of this transformative field. LH2CRAFT, in this context, is a mission-critical initiative, further propelling our groundbreaking journey in hydrogen-related technologies.
