Evaluation of EPDM Elastomeric Seals for Application in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Northern Research Center for Science and Technology, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Skills (NUS), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

EPDM is a widely used elastomeric polymer for gaskets in PEMFCs. These gaskets play a critical role in maintaining the electrochemical stability of fuel cells and preventing gas leaks. Both chemical and mechanical degradation can occur in EPDM gaskets when exposed to mechanical stress and corrosive acidic conditions. The goal of this study was to enhance the durability of EPDM gaskets by modifying the curing formulation through variations in the proportion of dicumyl peroxide used. The present study investigates how transformations in the material affect its mechanical properties and chemical stability. Accelerated durability tests (ADT) were performed using 1.8 ppm hydrofluoric acid and 12.5 ppm sulfuric acid to simulate conditions that may be encountered in real-world applications. To analyze the chemical alterations and elemental release on the gasket surface, FTIR and AAS were employed. The addition of DCP (dicumyl peroxide) to the curing process improved both the chemical resistance and mechanical strength of EPDM. After 800 hours of operation in the fuel cell, the optimized samples showed no changes in weight or hardness. These findings contribute to enhancing the durability of gaskets, ultimately improving the efficiency and longevity of PEM fuel cells.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Energy Storage
Volume 12, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 253-264

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