Datwyler link-up targets sealing materials for hydrogen fuel cells

Altdorf, Switzerland – Datwyler is developing new sealing materials for hydrogen fuel cells in partnership with 'bipolar' plates (BPP) manufacturer Hycco

BPP components are used to produce electricity fuel cell through harvesting energy from hydrogen molecules, Datwyler explained in a 30 Nov release.

According to the Swiss polymer group, the plates are usually made of three material options: metal, graphite or composites.

Within the fuel cell, BPPs must be sealed effectively, and the materials used must be capable of withstanding a variety of harsh conditions.

Such conditions, noted Datwyler, include prolonged contact with three separate media – hydrogen, humidified air and cooling liquid.

Under its partnership with Hycco, Datwyler's technology & innovation labs are testing the effectiveness of materials, focusing in on areas such as ion-contamination, amongst other parameters.

The joint project aims to “co-engineer a sealing solution that is highly effective and also scalable as demand increases,” said Dr Sarah-Elisabeth Dechent, Datwyler’s material development manager for sealing materials in bipolar fuel cell technology.

The two companies, added Dechent, are in the process of developing the material options that will progress to processing trials.

The “cost-effective” solutions will be used for the production of gaskets for proton exchange membrane BPP, explained Hycco CEO Romain Di Costanzo.

The development team, he said, will leverage Datwyler’s “tremendous experience” in elastomer formulation, and capability for the mass production of complex sealing parts.

The goal is to deliver “turnkey solution of sealed and assembled composite bipolar plate, for hydrogen fuel cells destined for heavy mobility markets,” the Hycco leader concluded.