Rubber Seals for Hydrogen Applications

Hydrogen seals retain hydrogen gas in a mechanical system and prevent its oxidation and undesirable leaks from one area to another. They also form a tight barrier that maintains the desired pressure in the system or device, ensuring optimal performance and safety of the entire system. Rubber gaskets for contact with hydrogen are ideal in areas where the presence of hydrogen may be dangerous, e.g. in fuel cells.

Hydrogen - What is it?

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, highly flammable and highly reactive substance. It represents an alternative to natural gas. It is commonly used as a fuel source in various branches of industry. It plays an important role in the future of sustainable energy. Due to its properties it is difficult to seal, because it disperses quickly and reacts with air. It can permeate materials, even those such as stainless steel. Materials that come into contact with hydrogen must meet rigorous requirements.

Damage caused by hydrogen exposure

Prolonged exposure to a hydrogen environment causes elastomeric seals over time to become brittle and prone to cracking or tearing at the extreme temperatures that hydrogen can reach during combustion. Moreover, swelling can worsen the mechanical properties and reduce the sealing properties of rubber. Contact with hydrogen also contributes to discoloration and cracking of elastomeric gaskets.

At Power Rubber, based on specialist knowledge and many years of experience, we supply rubber compounds that meet the highest standards of thermal resistance and chemical resistance, and also feature low gas permeability.

Rubber gaskets for contact with hydrogen - Material selection

At Power Rubber we offer specially designed rubber gaskets for use in a wide range of hydrogen applications. To minimize the risk of hazards caused by gas oxidation, we use high-performance materials that are characterized by low gas permeability to manufacture hydrogen seals. Hydrogen places specific demands on the components it contacts. For this reason, choosing the right material must ensure tightness to minimize gas oxidation and prevent losses due to its dispersion. It is worth noting that hydrogen can be sealed both in gaseous and liquid form.

Rubber gaskets for use with hydrogen must be carefully selected, and the materials from which they are made tested for compliance with the appropriate standards and directives.

Depending on operating conditions, various elastomers are used, including HNBR, FKM and FFKM, whose selection should take into account pressure, temperature, the medium and requirements regarding gas permeability.

Need high-performance rubber gaskets for hydrogen environments? Write to us here:

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Applications of hydrogen-resistant O-rings

Rubber gaskets resistant to hydrogen are used in many branches of industry, including aerospace, space, automotive, oil and gas, marine, energy, as well as in petrochemical plants, chemical processing, energy production, distribution and storage, and in the production of metals and semiconductors.

Features and advantages of hydrogen-resistant seals

In our offer you will find hydrogen seals that are resistant to harsh conditions, including leaks and permeation, high pressure, extreme temperatures and rapid gas decompression. Innovative hydrogen technologies offer enormous potential in many sectors, including automotive, aerospace, petrochemical and energy. They require reliable and wear-resistant sealing. Learn the features and advantages of our hydrogen-resistant seals, here they are:

• high resistance to extreme temperatures, high pressure and chemicals

• resistance to hydrogen corrosion

• exceptional durability

• low gas permeability

• flame retardancy

• excellent sealing properties

• resistance to permeation and RDG in applications with gaseous hydrogen under high pressure

• suitable for cryogenic sealing related to liquid hydrogen storage

Benefits of using hydrogen seals

Hydrogen is highly flammable. It ignites faster and more easily than gasoline or diesel. Leaks pose a huge hazard when servicing hydrogen equipment and create a risk of serious fire. It is worth noting that hydrogen burns with an invisible flame that is practically impossible to extinguish. Hydrogen seals increase safety by minimizing the risk of fire or explosion that can result from hydrogen leakage. Moreover, they prevent hydrogen leaks into the atmosphere and also protect equipment from its negative effects, e.g. corrosion. High-performance gaskets for contact with hydrogen retain their properties for a long time, maintaining the tightness and integrity of the system.

Rubber gaskets for contact with hydrogen available in the Power Rubber store

In the Power Rubber store we have a wide range of specially designed gaskets and materials suitable for hydrogen sealing applications. Our rubber products prevent leaks and maintain the integrity of systems in the most demanding environments. The materials used to manufacture hydrogen gaskets are characterized by particularly low gas permeability. In addition to high performance, they provide safety by protecting against hazards related to leaks and hydrogen-dependent operations.

Contact us by phone at: +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 16 03 03, or by email (power|powerrubber.com| |Power|PowerRubber.com) or via our contact form