To increase efficiency and lower production costs, the offshore wind industry is focusing on the development of larger wind generators. The HELIX project provided high-strength steel fasteners for the offshore wind industry at a lower cost, more resistant to corrosion and with a wider diameter to support the ever-increasing size of wind turbines, leading to higher productivity and supporting the development of larger foundations to support above 10MW OWT and allowed an easy assembly and disassembly of the whole structure.
During the project, novel high-strength steel grades and protecting zinc-flake based coatings were developed and validated. In addition, HELIX used advanced characterisation and traditional techniques under both atmospheric and immersion conditions to advance in the knowledge of hydrogen absorption in high-strength steels under cathodic protection and in atmospheric conditions.
HELIX innovation contributed to advancing the state of the art in coating development and in high-strength steels with high toughness and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Project results contributed with a better understanding of the interaction between steel, coating, and service environment in the hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon.
1
To optimise new lower cost high strength steel composition with improved hardenability, high toughness and high hydrogen embrittlement resistance to produce 10.9 and 12.9 steel grades after Quenching and Tempering (Q&T) treatments
2
To identify the mechanisms of hydrogen absorption / desorption of the optimised steels
3
To develop coatings based on zinc flakes and different topcoat materials to protect the steel and to reduce hydrogen entry in service
4
To study the interaction of the optimised steels, the novel coatings and the environment on
the hydrogen absorption quantity and mechanisms
5
To demonstrate the higher performance of the developed fasteners in real service
environments
HELIX interdisciplinary team was made up of 6 partners from 5 European countries covering all the value chain, from steel, bolt and fastener manufacturer companies, research centres to universities.
The HELIX project has developed and tested high-strength steels with advanced zinc-flake coatings to optimize the manufacture of fasteners with the aim of increasing the endurance, durability and affordability of…
Eurecat-coordinated projects driving innovation in sustainable steel presented at Metal Madrid Eurecat-coordinated projects committed to advancing circular and decarbonised steel technologies for future mobility, sustainable energy and smart manufacturing have…
Eurecat showcases sustainable steel innovations at SteelTech Congress 2025 Eurecat has participated as exhibitor at the Steel Tech 2025, held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre from October 21 – 23. At the…
HELIX Final Workshop showcases breakthroughs in offshore wind fastener technologies The HELIX project celebrated the successful culmination of its work with its Final Workshop, held on September 10th, 2025, as…
