Trelleborg launches “advanced” hydrogen sealing materials

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg Sealing Solutions (TSS) has launched a new range of elastomers to support the increasing use of hydrogen as a source of energy.

The H2Pro range consists of two new materials, including a new EPDM rubber for high-pressure environments and a “unique” thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for very low temperatures.

The series has been designed to accelerate sustainable technologies and can meet the challenges of hydrogen production, transport and storage, and end-use, said TSS in an announcement 5 July.

The materials have been “proven to withstand challenging application environments” with resistance to permeation and “excellent” wear and extrusion properties.

Hydrogen has “a major role” in the transition to carbon neutrality both as a fuel source and as a storage medium for surplus energy, explained James Simpson, global segment director energy.

However, due to its inherent characteristics, the gas is difficult to seal.

Some of the challenges down the supply chain is permeation and leakage, as hydrogen is the simplest element with the smallest molecular structure.

Another is rapid gas decompression (RGD), where hydrogen in a high-pressure system can be absorbed into a seal.

If the pressure in the system is suddenly relieved, gas trapped in the seal can expand, potentially causing the seal to blister and crack as the gas tries to escape.

Furthermore, seals for hydrogen systems need to withstand high pressures of up to 1,000 bar/14.34 psi and extremely low temperatures down to -250 °C/-418 °F in different applications.

The new TSS range, which is to be expanded, is designed to offers “reliable sealing solutions for a wide array of applications,” according to Simpson.

The seals can be used in pumps, valves, connectors, and other devices in the hydrogen supply chain.

Trelleborg, Simpson went on to say, is creating the materials and application-specific solutions to support all types of business involved in hydrogen.

These include industries such as energy generation, aerospace, off-highway, truck & bus, chemical transportation and marine industries.

Trelleborg said it used advanced testing rigs to assess the sealing materials for oxygen and ozone aging, hydrogen compatibility, leakage, permeation and the ability to withstand RGD.