The HELIX project has addressed one of the key technical challenges in the offshore wind sector: ensuring the long-term performance and safety of large-diameter, high-strength fasteners exposed to harsh marine environments while reducing the costs. In the HELIX project, new steel compositions with lower cost and novel zinc-flake coatings have been developed to enable the safe use of high strength steel fasteners beyond M64 in offshore conditions.

At the project’s final workshop, taking place within the EUROCORR 2025 congress, HELIX partners will present the main innovations and results achieved during the project. Topics will include the development of optimised steel grades, the application of zinc-flake coatings, and insights into hydrogen absorption and embrittlement mechanisms.

The workshop will also highlight the testing protocols used, as well as the results obtained from corrosion, fatigue and hydrogen embrittlement tests under real marine exposure. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to apply HELIX outcomes in offshore wind applications.