Trelleborg compounds range covers 'all' hydrogen sealing applications

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg has developed a range of sealing compounds, which are claimed to meet a broad range of challenges around the containment and transfer of hydrogen during production, transport and storage, and end-use.

The R&D programme for the 20 H?Pro products involved the introduction of “proprietary, next-level” testing regimes to validate materials for real-world hydrogen applications, according to the group’s 7 Aug announcement.

The materials, it stated, are “suitable for high pressures, low temperatures, and resist permeation, making them better able to withstand rapid gas decompression (RGD), while also demonstrating excellent wear and extrusion properties.”

As the smallest and lightest molecule, hydrogen is difficult and complex to seal, said Trelleborg’s global energy segment director James Simpson, adding that a lack of relevant industry standards to validate the new materials against was a major challenge.

“Some in the nascent hydrogen industry rely on standards used typically for high-pressure gasses in the oil & gas sector, but these are often unsuitable for replicating real-world hydrogen application conditions, explained Simpson.

Therefore, he said, Trelleborg “developed proprietary testing protocols that replicate real-world hydrogen applications”, including proprietary standards for hydrogen permeation, endurance-validation and hydrogen-compatibility including the ability to withstand RGD.

According to Trelleborg, its extended H?Pro range “meets the diverse requirements of real-world hydrogen applications” with elastomers including EPDM, FKM, silicones and polyurethanes, as well as engineering plastics and metals.

The full range “comprises application-specific solutions that support every type of business involved in hydrogen, including energy generation, aerospace, off-highway, truck and bus, chemical transportation and processing and marine industries,” claimed Simpson.

In its statement, Trelleborg also highlighted its recently opened hydrogen test centre in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which carries out compatibility and permeation validation and conducts dynamic testing in gaseous hydrogen and validation in cryogenic gaseous environments.