RADIEU - Research project

RADIEU mitigates hydrogen embrittlement in 17-4PH stainless steel through femtosecond-laser surface texturing. The process creates 2D-LIPSS (LSFL and HSFL) under circular polarization to tailor both surface topography and the ultrathin oxide layer. Assessment relies exclusively on tensile tests performed during hydrogen charging, benchmarking mirror-polished versus textured (2D-micro, 2D-nano) surfaces. Under hydrogen, mirror specimens exhibit early brittle fracture (about 4% elongation), while textured surfaces show higher elongation at fracture and toughness (around +20%) without significant degradation of the elastic modulus. The project is aligned with Manutech-SLEIGHT Axis 1 (predict and experiment light-induced surface modification processes), targets TRL 4–5 with a representative demonstrator, and follows a technology-transfer pathway through PULSALYS