Fuel Cell Adhesive Seal Member Low-Temperature Elasticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesive seal members for fuel cells lose rubber elasticity at extremely low temperatures, compromising sealing performance, especially in cold climates.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked rubber composition with ethylene-propylene rubber or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber having an ethylene content of 40% to 50% by mass, combined with an organic peroxide for low-temperature cross-linking and a resorcinol, melamine, or silane coupling agent for strong adhesion, maintaining elasticity and sealing performance across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber compositions (EPM or EPDM) are used in seal members, then cross-linking can be performed at low temperature (130°C or less) for short time, but rubber elasticity is lost at extremely low temperature (-20°C to -30°C), compromising sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber by specifying precise ethylene content ranges (40-50% for EPM, 60-70% for EPDM) and incorporating specific adhesive components. This compositional parameter change enables the rubber to maintain elasticity at extremely low temperatures while allowing low-temperature cross-linking, thus resolving the contradiction between low-temperature sealing performance and rubber elasticity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite rubber composition by combining specific rubber components (EPM or EPDM with controlled ethylene content) with adhesive components (resorcinol compound, melamine compound, or silane coupling agent). This composite material approach enhances both the low-temperature elasticity and the sealing performance, overcoming the limitation of conventional single-component rubber seal members.
2Strength
If cross-linking is performed at high temperature for long time, then strong bonding is achieved, but electrolyte membrane is deteriorated by heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-linking parameters by selecting organic peroxides with specific decomposition characteristics that enable cross-linking at lower temperatures (130°C or less) for shorter durations. This parameter change achieves sufficient bonding strength while minimizing heat exposure to the electrolyte membrane, thus resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and heat damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adhesive components (resorcinol compound, melamine compound, or silane coupling agent) as intermediaries between the rubber and the substrate. These intermediaries facilitate strong bonding at lower cross-linking temperatures, reducing the need for high-temperature processing and thereby protecting the electrolyte membrane from heat deterioration.
3Reliability
If ethylene content in EPM or EPDM is increased, then sealing performance at low temperature improves, but crystallization tendency increases, reducing rubber elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ethylene content parameters within specific ranges (40-50% for EPM, 60-70% for EPDM) to balance two opposing requirements: sufficient ethylene content for low-temperature sealing performance, but limited content to prevent excessive crystallization. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and rubber elasticity maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures excellent sealing performance at extremely low temperatures and over long operational periods, enhancing the reliability and durability of fuel cells in cold climates.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linked product of a rubber composition containing components (A) to (D): (A) at least one rubber component selected from ethylene-propylene rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber... (B) an organic peroxide having a one-hour half-life temperature of 130°C or less
Implementation Method 2
at least one adhesive component selected from a resorcinol compound and a melamine compound, an aluminate coupling agent, and a silane coupling agent
Data Source
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AI summary
An adhesive seal member for a fuel cell of the present invention includes a cross-linked product of a rubber composition containing components (A) to (E): (A) at least one rubber component selected from ethylene-propylene rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, (B) an organic peroxide having a one-hour half-life temperature of 130°C or less, (C) a crosslinking aid, (D) at least one adhesive component selected from a resorcinol compound and a melamine compound, an aluminate coupling agent, and a silane coupling agent, and (E) a softener having a pour point of -40°C or less. If the ethylene-propylene rubber or the ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in (A) the rubber component has an ethylene content of 53% by mass or less, the rubber composition may be devoid of (E) the softener having a pour point of -40°C or less.