Elastomer compounds made by Gummiwerk KRAIBURG for a Range of hydrogen applications

Waldkraiburg, Germany – Gummiwerk KRAIBURG has had a range of its compounds tested for use in hydrogen applications. In the test cycles the elastomer mixtures showed no signs of explosive decompression damage and attained approval following the SAE J2600 standard as issued by the German technical standards supervisory body, abbreviated TÜV. The approval confirms that the compounds fulfill the highest standards of quality and meet the requirements for use in hydrogen plants, systems and vehicles.
There is hardly an energy source more in focus than hydrogen H2. Mobility, power supply and industry are rallying toward hydrogen technologies that pave the way into the future. There is enormous potential especially for green hydrogen, generated from renewable energy sources, to become a sustainable energy carrier. Developing the supply infrastructure requires specific solutions, especially in the choice of materials that are suitable for hydrogen applications and that guarantee reliability and enduring safe function. This is a challenge, since H2 is color and odourless, it is volatile and highly flammable, posing the risk of explosion. By employing the certified compounds made by Gummiwerk KRAIBURG, system and component manufacturers are in a position to ensure that their products fulfill the strictest standards.
Gummiwerk KRAIBURG submitted a range of compounds for testing by the German technical standards and supervisory authority. The test cycles follow the North American standard SAE J2600 method and, having successfully passed them, confirm suitability for hydrogen applications. The high-performance compounds are distinguished by high dimensional stability in contact with hydrogen and resilience to explosive decompression – a sudden drop in pressure which leads to a rapid release of gases and, as a result, to damages in the elastomer component.
The SAE J2600 approval testing method has established itself as a global safety standard for hydrogen vehicles and gas stations. The independent certification authority TÜV has adopted the North American standards into its own testing portfolio in order to test and approve materials for their suitability and safety in components and systems for hydrogen applications. The test procedures successfully passed include a range of examinations that ascertain a material’s suitability for use with hydrogen.
Gummiwerk KRAIBURG is thus in a privileged position to provide safe, high quality compounds for hydrogen applications – confirmed by the quality certification issued by the independent TÜV authority. The compound specialist has also been a member of the Bavarian Hydrogen Alliance from its inception in 2019 and already offers a range of additional compounds that have successfully passed the certification program conducted by the German gas and water authority (DVGW) to confirm suitability for hydrogen applications.