Hydrogen technology
Adhesive film for PEM fuel cells and PEM electrolysis cells
CMC Klebetechnik provides the bonding solution to ensure maximum operational reliability with minimum overall height in fuel cells. In addition to the CCM (Catalyst Coated Membrane), the gas diffusion layers (GDL) and the sub-gasket foil are the components of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) - the central element of a PEM fuel cell and a PEM electrolysis cell .
CMC Klebetechnik's subgasket films made of TEONEX® films (also PEEK or PPS if required) are designed for durability, good processability on automated production lines and neutrality in the CCM environment.
Tasks of the sub-gasket film:
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the supporting film keeps the MEA tensioned
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it reliably separates the media (H2, O2) from each other
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it seals the system against leakage
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the frame foil facilitates automated assembly (Picture-Frame Catalyst Coated Membrane; Membrane Electrode Assembly).
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When using thin film, highest packing densities (reduced unit size) are possible
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The bonding with the edge of the CCM is almost non-absorbent and can be chosen very small (smallest possible overlap).
No "poisoning" of the MEA by adhesive or film
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Electrical insulation of the bipolar plates (high dielectric strength)
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Deformation-resistant films for low settlement behaviour
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The frame foil relieves the CCM from mechanical stresses in the edge area (the thin ion exchange membrane tends to perforate in the edge area).Verarbeitungshinweise Subgasket-Folien
CMC Klebetechnik offers a Teonex® film with a heat-activated adhesive (CMC 61325)as standard for EME/MEA assembly in PEM cells. The film and adhesive are hydrolysis-stable and can therefore be used permanently in fuel cells. The adhesive used allows a very narrow lamination area of the holding foil on the actual functional membrane.
The adhesive is non-sticky at room temperature. This facilitates processing in the further processing steps (e.g. pick-and-place). Even a subsequent position correction is possible.
For manufacturers who want to dispense with the heating process in the automation process, there is also a pressure-sensitive adhesive version (CMC 61145)With this product, the subgasket film and the CCM are only bonded together by lamination under pressure.
Since CMC Klebetechnik coats the products itself, modifications such as different film materials, other adhesives or thickness changes are possible at any time. Please contact us for this purpose.
Klebebänder für die MEA-Produktion
Production aid for MEA designs in fuel cells
Hydrogen technology for a decarbonised future
High-temperature PEM cells
Thermal management on fuel cell stacks
Fuel cells for hybrid drives
Sealing films for subgasket assembly in FC and RFB stacks
Further information on PEN films/ PEN adhesive tape
Further information on Kapton films/ Kapton adhesive tape
Alternative "self-adhesive coating" for short cycle times
However, in order to achieve particularly high cycle rates, the heating step for melting the adhesive can be troublesome. For this reason, CMC Klebetechnik also offers a version
that sticks at room temperature (CMC 61145)In this case, the foil coated with the catalyst layer can be connected to the subgasket foil by simple "placement". No heating is necessary, especially heating that could reach the load limits of the CCM.
Investigations have shown that the acrylic adhesive used by CMC Klebetechnik still increases slightly in its adhesive strength even under the typical cell loads (temperature and hydrolysis).
Due to the considerable pressure load within fuel cell stacks, mechanical deformation of the subgasket foil can occur, depending on the geometries of the seals and bipolar plates used. Therefore it is always possible to use thicker foils (50µm, 75µm - depending on availability). Kapton® foils are a possible alternative, especially due to their high stiffness even at increased temperatures.
Customer-specific changes - in the simplest case modifications of the material thicknesses - are possible in a joint development, as are adhesive systems adapted to special requirements (e.g. adhesion to repellent surfaces, SPEEK, Nafion® from DuPont, Caltec® from BASF, for alkaline fuel cells (AFC) or phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) and other special forms).
In addition to adhesive foils for the production of the frame foil (sub-gasket), there is also the possibility of bonding moistening fleeces in a sealing manner. These fleeces improve the service life and efficiency of larger fuel cells by actively influencing the moisture content of the PEM membrane. Air humidification is an important component of many PEM fuel cells for optimum membrane humidification. Durable and reliable sealing and bonding are typical tasks for acrylic adhesive tapes.
Products for use in fuel cells
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CMC Type |
Properties |
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| CMC 61325 Laminate: PEN film with heat-seal adhesive Adhesive: head seal adhesive based on polyester resin Substrate thickness: 0,025 mm Total thickness: 0,040 mm |
CMC 61325 is a laminating film based on 25 µm PEN substrate coated on one side with a heat seal adhesive based on polyester resin. The adhesive layer is protected by a PE liner. |
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| CMC 61145 PEN adhesive tape Adhesive: Acrylate Substrate thickness: 0,025 mm Total thickness: 0,040 mm |
CMC 61145 is a self adhesive insulating tape with outstanding electrical properties and highest temperature performance in the group of polyester films. The acrylic adhesive features high molecular weight, durability, and hydrolysis resistance. A protective liner is included. |
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Kapton® FN
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For methanol direct fuel cells (DMFC, HT-PEM) with operating temperatures significantly above 100°C, for example, using Kapton® FN is a good choice. |
High-temperature PEM cells
For methanol direct fuel cells (DMFC, HT-PEM) with operating temperatures significantly above 100°C, for example, using Kapton® FN is a good choice. This special variant of Kapton® has a very good hydrolysis stability and shows almost no shrinkage. For this reason, frame foils made of Kapton® FN are stress-free even at temperatures at which PEN foils usually show shrinkage of approx. 0.2-0.8%. Special, permanently elastic adhesive coatings (PSA) act as assembly aids and above all as sealing elements (e.g. methanol reformers).
Kapton® FN also shows a lower coefficient of thermal expansion of only 20 ppm/K compared to polymer foils made of PEEK (45 ppm/K) and PPS (51 ppm/K). Kapton® FN is thus much closer to that of steel (11.7 ppm/K) and thus avoids stresses within the stack.
An even further improved version of the Kapton® foil is Kapton® 200FWR919, a hydrolysis-resistant Kapton foil that is also coated on both sides with a fluoropolymer layer to achieve very good chemical, thermal and electrical resistance. Kapton® FWR has a further improved hydrolysis stability and is more pressure resistant.
Another very good application is DuPont™ Oasis® 200TRT515, a further development for the aerospace industry with excellent hydrolysis stability and chemical resistance and neutrality.
In addition, PVF, PVDF and PPS foils can also be used, each of which has specific benefits (low water absorption, low permeation rates for hydrogen, high hydrolysis resistance).
Fuel cells for non-continuous operation such as emergency power generators for measuring stations, radio systems, IT equipment, decentralised power supply for electrical consumers or charging operation for electric batteries benefit from the much simpler handling of the "fuels" for "methanol" high-temperature fuel cells (keyword CO and sulphur poisoning).
PEM electrolyzers for Power-to-Liquid (P2L) and Power-to-Chemicals (P2C) or Power-to-Gas (P2G) can also be equipped with these foils. Due to the fundamentally reversed process of the fuel cell, considerable CO2 emissions can be avoided when using regenerative energy.
Also for applications as MEA for electrolysers, the chemistry and mechanical structure of the adhesive foil for the functional membrane can be adapted to the customer's requirements.
Thermal management on fuel cell stacks
As with any conversion process, waste heat is also generated during "cold combustion" in the fuel cell. This must be discharged to prevent overheating. One of the heat management techniques is to connect the fuel cell to the coolant circuit of a hybrid vehicle. Alternatively, a separate coolant circuit with heat exchanger and fan can be used.
The thermal connection of elements of the heat path requires in many cases a mediating layer. Dimensional tolerances, warping and differences in thermal expansion can lead to air gaps that considerably impede heat transfer.
Heat exchangers, air coolers, condensers, cooling plates or heating elements for preheating cryogenic NT-PEM stacks can be thermally bonded with heat conductive silicone foils from CMC Klebetechnik. The flexible, elastic foils are highly thermally conductive and compensate for manufacturing tolerances and other unevenness. Due to the 100% wetting of the surfaces, the maximum possible cross-sectional area is available to the heat flow. The products can be used at continuous temperatures of up to 200°C.
Sealing foils for subgasket assembly in FC and RFB stacks
Fuel cells, redox-flow batteries and also e.g. lithium-ion batteries have one thing in common: They use an inner separation layer as ion exchanger. This separation layer is also called separator or membrane.
Adapted to the respective technology, manufacturers use very different materials for this separation layer, whose main task is to separate the two electrolytes that give off or take up electrons. In addition to chemical resistance, ion conductivity is therefore an important criterion. In addition, there are tasks that are more likely to serve safety purposes, for example: Highly temperature-resistant separators in lithium-ion batteries prevent metal fires even with faulty operation. In the stacks of fuel cells, the membrane foil in the form of a frame not only serves as an assembly aid, but also enables cost-effective production in a roll-to-roll process (or immediately roll-to-punch). In the stack of the redox-flow battery, it makes a significant contribution to keeping the two electrolytes safely separated. It chemically seals the two half-cells and thus prevents direct mixing.
For fuel cells and redox-flow batteries, CMC Klebetechnik offers products that allow a combination with the actual ion exchange membrane. Depending on the operating temperature (NT-PEMFC, HT-FC), process-typical media (e.g. vanadium-based, methanol, water) or mounting method (gluing, heat-sealing), different foils can be offered. Even membrane foils that are difficult to bond, such as Nafion® from DuPont, can thus be clamped in a frame that functions as a seal on the one hand and also allows the active area to be fixed mechanically (subgasket frame).