Molykote® lubricants for hydrogen contact applications.
The Molykote® lubricants offer a specific range of products designed for hydrogen contact applications, ensuring maximum functionality and safety even after prolonged exposure.
With green hydrogen looming as the fuel of the future, the need for hydrogen-resistant lubricants has become crucial to ensure theefficiency and safety of applications in this area. This article will explore the features and benefits of lubricants Molykote® for hydrogen contact applications.
Molykote®: hydrogen contact lubricants.
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is rapidly gaining prominence as a zero-emission fuel in meeting climate goals. Along the entire hydrogen value chain, numerous applications require lubrication, such as seals and threaded connections. These lubricants must be resistant to hydrogen and not contaminate it, especially in fuel cells. In addition, they must provide reliable performance at low temperatures (-40°C) for the cooling process prior to hydrogen dispensing at filling stations. It is essential that lubricants are compatible with the substrates used, such as elastomer seals, and that they do not promote hydrogen embrittlement.
To meet these specific needs, MOLYKOTE® HP-300 Grease and MOLYKOTE® PD-930 Semi-Dry Lub ricant have proven to be reliable solutions and have been widely adopted in industries such as the automotive and railway industries.
MOLYKOTE® PD-930: Increasing the efficiency of fuel cell units.
Both lubricants, due to their inertness toward hydrogen and low outgassing, improve the sealing performance and, consequently, the efficiency of fuel cell drives.
MOLYKOTE® PD-930 semi-dry lubricant greatly limits the risk of contamination when used in applications close to the fuel cell stack, maintaining fuel cell performance over time.
MOLYKOTE® HP-300: Supporting equipment safety
MOLYKOTE® HP-300 grease contributes to the safety of hydrogen refueling stations by enabling proper detachment functionality in the event of an emergency. It is also ideal for lubricating valve seals used along hydrogen tubes, reducing the risk of leaks caused by improper fabrication or assembly. Using MOLYKOTE® HP-300 grease for gear lubrication increases the life of electronic valve actuators.
Characteristics of MOLYKOTE® lubricants for hydrogen contact applications.
MOLYKOTE® HP-300 Grease:
- Excellent compatibility with plastics and elastomers
- Superior resistance to chemicals and solvents, including water
- High temperature resistance up to 250°C
- Very low vapor pressure
- High dielectric strength.
MOLYKOTE® PD-930 Semi-dry lubricant:
- Superior lubrication on most plastics and elastomers
- Good compatibility with plastics and elastomers
- Non-sticky after drying
- Ultra-thin and transparent lubricating layer
- Good surface coverage.
Supporting green hydrogen production
In addition to the final hydrogen contact application, MOLYKOTE® specialty lubricants are also used in desalination plants and renewable energy, confirming MOLYKOTE® as the preferred lubrication partner along the entire hydrogen value chain.
Conclusions
Molykote® lubricants offer a reliable solution for hydrogen contact applications, ensuring functionality, safety and efficiency in the green hydrogen sector. Because of their unique characteristics and compatibility with a wide range of materials, Molykote® lubricants have become the preferred choice in industries such asautomotive, rail transportation, and many other applications along the hydrogen value chain.
