Santoprene, a type of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), is used in hydrogen fuel cells primarily as a material for gaskets and seals due to its excellent chemical resistance, flexibility, and ability to withstand the harsh operating conditions within a fuel cell, including high temperatures and acidic environments; essentially acting as a sealant to prevent gas leaks between components within the fuel cell stack.

Advantages:

• Chemical resistance: Can withstand the acidic environment of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
• Flexibility: Provides a good seal around irregular surfaces.
• Processability: Can be easily molded and formed into complex shapes using standard manufacturing techniques like injection molding.
• Recyclability:Being a thermoplastic, Santoprene can be recycled and re-used, reducing waste.

1. Sealing Gaskets and O-Rings

• Function: Hydrogen fuel cells require precise seals to contain gases and prevent leaks, particularly hydrogen, which is highly permeable and difficult to contain.
• Why Santoprene: Santoprene’s flexibility, compression set resistance, and durability under varying temperature conditions make it a strong candidate for gaskets and O-rings. Its chemical resistance also ensures longevity in environments where exposure to various fluids and gases is common.

2. Hoses and Tubing

• Function: Hydrogen fuel cell systems often involve the transportation of gases and fluids (e.g., hydrogen, cooling fluids) through flexible tubing.
• Why Santoprene: The material’s excellent flexibility, even at low temperatures, and its chemical resistance to hydrogen, oils, and other fluids make it a suitable choice for hoses and tubing in fuel cell systems.

3. Vibration Dampening

• Function: Hydrogen fuel cell systems may experience vibration, particularly in automotive or mobile applications.
• Why Santoprene: Santoprene’s elasticity and impact resistance help reduce noise and vibrations, contributing to the stability and durability of the fuel cell system.

4. Electrical Insulation

• Function: Many components in hydrogen fuel cells require electrical insulation to prevent short-circuiting or electrical leakage.
• Why Santoprene: As a thermoplastic elastomer, Santoprene can be used for wire and cable insulation, ensuring electrical reliability while maintaining flexibility.

5. Temperature and Chemical Resistance

• Hydrogen fuel cells can operate in a wide range of temperatures and often involve exposure to chemicals like hydrogen, water vapor, and other industrial fluids. Santoprene is designed to maintain performance across these conditions, particularly with its resistance to UV, ozone, and harsh chemicals.

Key Considerations:

While Santoprene offers many advantages for hydrogen fuel cell applications, specific formulations need to be evaluated based on factors such as:

• Hydrogen Permeability: Hydrogen is a small molecule that can permeate many materials. Special attention must be paid to the permeability rates of Santoprene when used for seals or gaskets in hydrogen applications.
• Temperature Stability: Hydrogen fuel cells operate at different temperature ranges depending on the application (automotive, stationary power generation, etc.). Ensuring Santoprene can perform without degradation at those temperatures is essential.

Conclusion:

Santoprene has the potential to be a valuable material in hydrogen fuel cell systems, especially for sealing, vibration dampening, and fluid transportation. Its flexibility, chemical resistance, and mechanical durability make it an ideal candidate for these demanding applications, but the specific formulation must be chosen to meet the unique challenges of hydrogen-based technologies. SantopSeal Corporation ensures efficient and reliable sealing solutions for your critical processes. Contact SantopSeal Corporation via email: info@santopseal.com or phone: 412-444-1888.