目前，德特威勒已经将业务能力范围扩大到了氢燃料电池技术的应用领域，助力客户向氢燃料电池技术转型。德特威勒与全球领先的燃料电池生产商合作，进一步完善了自身高性能系统关键密封件的产品组合及相关生产技术，以提供能够覆盖燃料电池整条产业链的密封解决方案 。
Datwyler has expanded its capabilities to support customers transitioning to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Working in partnership with leading global fuel cell producers, the company has further strengthened its portfolio of high performance and system-critical sealing materials and associated production techniques to provide solutions that cover the entire value chain - from hydrogen production via electrolyzer technology to actual use in the vehicle – specifically fuel cell.
quot;德特威勒对双极板 密封件尤其关注，因为它们是燃料电池中将氢气(氧气)分子的化学能转化成电能的关键部件 quot;，德特威勒材料开发经理 Sarah-Elisabeth Dechent 博士说。quot;BPP 的生产主要有三种基础材料选择:金属、石墨和复合材料。通过结合弹性体技术进行的深入测试和分析，我们已经确定:在车用燃料电池应用中，复合材料制成的双极板能实现性能与各种现实因素之间的最佳平衡。与金属和石墨替代品相比，复合材料制成的 BPP 重量轻、性价比高、易于加工，并具有出色的耐化学性。
Datwyler’s focus on seals for bipolar plates are critical, as they are the components within a fuel cell used to produce electricity through harvesting energy previously stored in hydrogen (and oxygen) molecules. The BPPs are produced using three main base material options – metal, graphite and composites. As a result of in-depth testing and analysis in conjunction with our elastomer technologies, we have determined that composite materials will, in mobility applications, achieve the best possible results when weighing challenges against performance. Composite BPPs are light, cost effective, easy to process and provide superior chemical resistance when compared with metal and graphite alternatives.
在燃料电池内部，BPP 必须有效密封，并且材料必须能够承受各种环境条件，包括与三种独立介质 的长时间接触。德特威勒的技术与创新实验室与欧洲各地的专业实验室联合测试材料的有效性，且重点关注离子污染等因素，以确保密封材料能实现最高水平的性能。
Within the fuel cell itself, the BPP must be sealed effectively, and the material must be capable of withstanding a variety of conditions, including prolonged contact with three separate media – hydrogen, humidified air and cooling liquid. Datwyler’s Technology amp; Innovation Labs, combined with specialist laboratories across Europe, are testing the effectiveness of materials, focusing on elements such as ion contamination, amongst others, to ensure the highest levels of performance.
图1:德特威勒技术与创新实验室
Figure 1: Datwyler’s Technology amp; Innovation Labs
一般来说，弹性体能够满足广泛的密封关键参数要求，这点已经得到充分证实。从对机械能的高吸收性到出色的耐化学性，弹性体材料都具备优势。通过与复合材料 制成的BPP 应用相结合，弹性体在燃料电池技术应用中具有巨大的潜力。
Elastomers, in general, have been conclusively proven to deliver against a broad range of critical parameters. From their high absorption of mechanical energy to their excellent chemical resistance, they have enormous potential for fuel cell technology applications in combination with composite BPP.
quot;德特威勒与领先的 BPP生产商HYCCO合作，联合开发了一种高效的、且可以随着需求增加进行规模化制造的密封解决方案quot;，Dechent博士总结道。quot;目前我们正在开发多种材料选项，随后将进行加工试验。我们迄今为止已取得的成果证明，在新兴技术领域采用联合开发的方法是取得项目快速进展的最佳工作方式。德特威勒在材料专业知识、卓越运营和解决方案设计方面具备核心竞争力，凭借全球网络的支持，我们可以确保向燃料电池生产商提供可靠且优质的双极板产品。
“Datwyler partners with HYCCO, a leading producer of BPP, to co-engineer a sealing solution that is highly effective and also scalable as demand increases,” says Dr. Sarah-Elisabeth Dechent, Manager Material Development at Datwyler. “We are now in the process of developing the material options which will progress to processing trials. The results we have achieved so far prove that a co-engineering approach to emerging technologies is the best way of working. At Datwyler we have the capabilities in material expertise, operational excellence and solution design to ensure fuel cell producers that we can deliver reliability and quality, supported by a global network.”
图2，应用于燃料电池电堆的双极板? HYCCO
Figure 2: BPP applied in the fuel cell stack ? HYCCO
图3:复合材料制成的双极板? HYCCO
Figure 3: Composite bipolar plate ? HYCCO
HYCCO首席执行官Romain Di Costanzo表示:quot;我们非常高兴HYCCO 与德特威勒成为了战略合作伙伴，我们将共同开发并生产具有高性价比的应用于质子交换膜MEA和双极板BPP之间的密封垫。德特威勒在弹性体配方和复杂密封件的批量生产方面拥有丰富的经验。同时，德特威勒已经在一流的研发设备和能力方面做了大量投资来应对未来的各种挑战。所以，我们对此非常高兴并相信，这一强强合作关系将使HYCCO能够为重型商用车市场的氢燃料电池提供集成密封功能的复合材料双极板的一站式解决方案quot;。
“HYCCO is very pleased about the new strategic partnership with Datwyler. Together we want to develop a cost-effective solution for the production of gaskets for proton exchange membrane BPP. Datwyler has a tremendous experience in elastomer formulation, and mass production of complex sealing parts. Datwyler has invested into best-in-class Ramp;D means to meet the various challenges ahead. We are therefore very pleased and confident that this strong partnership will enable HYCCO to provide a turnkey solution of sealed and assembled composite bipolar plate, for hydrogen fuel cells destined for heavy mobility markets,” comments Romain Di Costanzo, Chief Executive Officer at HYCCO.
