Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the Notice on Launching the Pilot Program for Comprehensive Hydrogen Energy Applications (MIIT-FM-NDRC [2026] No. 59), promoting the integrated development of the full “production–storage–transport–use” hydrogen industry chain. Infrastructure such as hydrogen refueling stations, hydrogen pipelines, and hydrogen storage spheres has entered a period of concentrated construction. In exchanges with plant owners and engineering contractors, one question keeps coming up: how should hydrogen equipment be protected against corrosion?

It should be clarified that hydrogen molecules are small and can easily penetrate the metal lattice, causing “hydrogen embrittlement” — a challenge at the materials-science level. The industry is continuously tackling this through dedicated technologies such as hydrogen-barrier coatings, and related pilot projects and materials research have been publicly reported. The other two types of corrosion commonly faced by hydrogen and chemical facilities, however, already have mature and proven protection paths:

1. Strong chemical-media corrosion in hydrogen production and purification

Alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production is in long-term contact with high-concentration alkaline solutions, while the associated purification and pickling steps also involve acidic media, placing dual acid–alkali resistance demands on the internal coating. JIANBANG JB-8866 ultra-chemical-resistant coating withstands strong solvents and saturated alkaline environments; JB-98 heavy-duty acid-resistant coating withstands 98% sulfuric acid for up to 720 hours, suiting such alternating acid–alkali service conditions.

2. Atmospheric corrosion of outdoor storage and transport facilities

In coastal areas, hydrogen storage spheres, hydrogen pipelines, and refueling-station steel structures are subject to long-term high salt-spray and strong UV exposure, with welds and flanges typically rusting first. JIANBANG JB-9618 heavy-duty weather-resistant coating delivers salt-spray resistance of over 1,500 hours and UV resistance of over 4,000 hours, making it suitable as a long-term external protection system for outdoor hydrogen facilities.

From media protection at the production end to long-term weather resistance for outdoor facilities, selecting the right coating system is what enables hydrogen equipment to operate reliably under complex conditions.