Testing for suitability in hydrogen applications at Frenzelit focuses on two aspects: tightness and material strength. Hydrogen molecules are extremely small, which is why tightness is a key criterion when it comes to suitability for hydrogen. Conventional leak tests with helium or nitrogen provide only limited information about tightness in applications with hydrogen due to the different molecular structure. For this reason, Frenzelit has developed a method to test the gaskets for leakage using the same medium that they must withstand in actual operation – hydrogen.

Gaskets must maintain their functionality for as long as possible – and this is why chemical resistance testing using hydrogen is so crucial. Frenzelit simulates the service life by keeping the gasket material in hydrogen under a defined level of pressure for a specific period of time.

In order for a gasket to receive the “H2-approved” logo, the material must not show any cracks or porous areas after this test period. This verifies the suitability of the material and customers can rest assured that the gaskets will work properly in hydrogen applications. Many Frenzelit materials have already demonstrated this suitability.

And not just with the “H2-approved by Frenzelit” branding: Frenzelit already wants to set benchmarks in the industrial use of hydrogen with its own proprietary test method and the resulting measurement protocols.