Recent developments in the hydrogen market require materials able to withstand more aggressive environments (higher temperatures, higher pressures…) while increasing product lifetime at the same time. Many plastic materials currently being used will not be able to address these requirements (PPS, PEI, PSU, PTFE, PEEK…).

Crosslinking a material will enhance its performance and enable this material to be used in more demanding applications.

Compared to standard PEEK materials, our crosslinked PEEK offers lower permeation to hydrogen, better mechanical properties retention at high temperatures (up to 300°C and beyond), and improved chemical resistance. PEEK materials can’t withstand sulfuric acid for instance but Arlon 3000XT is recommended in such environment.

Examples of hydrogen applications where this material could be used include:

- Pressure relief valve & safety valve seats,

- Electrolyzer cell frames and fuel cell compression end plates,

- Piston rings, rider bands, rod packing rings for reciprocating compressors.