TRP provides PTFE chemical bonding for the increased performance of fuel cell gaskets.
At TRP Polymer Solutions, we have manufactured electrolyser gaskets for the chlorine and hypochlorite (chloro-alkali electrolyser) industry for over 30 years.
We specialise in bonding a thin PTFE veneer to rubber, typically an EPDM capable of excellent performance at over 150°C, which has many years of successful commercial use. This EPDM has excellent chemical resistance and high-temperature resistance.
PTFE veneers as thin as 0.25mm can be used for larger custom rubber gaskets.
The chemical bonding of PTFE and elastomers significantly reduces permeation in electrolyser applications. For some chemicals, permeation can be reduced by up to 100 times compared to standard elastomers. The physical and mechanical properties are also maintained over longer periods of time.
We can produce mouldings of up to 2.5m x 2m where a tolerance of +/- 5.5mm is maintained.
For hydrogen electrolysis gaskets, our materials have been tested in 99.995% H2 at 80°C (the approximate operating temperature of a fuel cell gasket). The results are shown below:
The materials are designed to serve a variety of applications:
• Butyl serves high-pressure hydrogen storage where loss of hydrogen by permeation is to be kept to a minimum (TRP compound reference: D167).
• FKM has excellent chemical resistance to a wide range of media and has been used by TRP in a variety of electrolysis cells, ranging from small, lightweight and portable equipment to large commercial electrolysis cells. We have developed two materials for these applications (F344 and F361).
• High chemical/temperature resistance EPDM can commonly be used with gaskets and seals for hydrogen, but TRP recommends applying a PTFE veneer.
• An EPDM with PTFE veneer is specifically designed for a long service life use within electrolysis gaskets. Gaskets manufactured by TRP, in this way, have a history of having a service life in excess of 10 years. The PTFE layer acts as a high-chemical-resistance boundary, whereas the EPDM acts to form the seal and energise the PTFE. This technology enables a longer service life than PTFE or EPDM, as the PTFE shields the EPDM chemically and thermally, and the EPDM eliminates the issues of creep associated with PTFE gaskets. (E286 + PTFE)
In addition to the above developments of low-permeation materials, TRP has also developed a reduced carbon footprint EPDM that’s suitable for use in electrolyser gaskets.
When applied to a PTFE veneer, its chemical resistance and physical properties match those of existing formulations. The new EPDM shows a carbon footprint reduction of 1kg of CO2 per 1kg of rubber when compared to EPDM produced solely from non-renewable hydrocarbons.
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