Rubber components for the energy sector

About this product

AVK GUMMI develops, produces and sells rubber components for the energy sector. This includes a wide range of articles – e.g. moulded hoses for contact with gas, oil and bio-based fuel and gaskets for use in battery and fuel cell technologies. Finally, wind and solar energy, including offshore, is part of our area of expertise. With such a wide field of applications, clearly there will be many different requirements concerning function and approvals. As safety is always our number one priority, one common feature is high demands on quality and documentation.

Rubber solutions for natural gas and oil Rubber that is exposed to natural gas must of course be suited for the purpose. If natural gas can leak through the rubber gasket or be extendedly absorbed by the gasket, the function of the gasket will fail. Such a failure would put the surroundings at risk, and therefore rubber for use in natural gas applications is subject to stringent requirements all over the world. Rubber that is exposed to oil is subject to many similar requirements. However, since we also produce components such as moulded hoses for oil lubrication of chain saws, the equipment manufacturers often have specific approval requirements.

Rubber solutions for fuel Fuel is not just fuel, and many new types of bio-based fuel have entered into the market during recent years. Fuel must always be handled in a controlled manner irrespective of the climate or other conditions. We develop rubber compounds that comply with the many different requirements, and we are happy to assist you with advice concerning the possibilities and restraints.

Rubber solutions for battery and fuel cell technologies A battery consists of electrodes and an electrolyte. Depending on the technology, electrodes and electrolytes can pose a challenge in the process of formulating a rubber gasket with the right sealing properties to prevent leakage from the battery. The components can be based on organic solvents or acidic solutions or they can be bound in a more or less fixed structure, which means that the requirements on the rubber compound – not least concerning safety – can differ quite a bit. Furthermore, design and assembly properties may require the combination of rubber with other components, and finally the lifetime of the battery must be satisfactory. All in all, there are many different requirements on the gasket material.

Therefore, the following factors are important: - The rubber compound must be suitable for the chemistry applied, the operational conditions and the expected lifetime. - The rubber compound must not release substances that may affect the function of your equipment. - The rubber compound must have the right approvals, e.g. for contact with natural gas. - The material properties of the rubber must provide optimal function, such as minimal friction, in order to ensure proper activation of the valve in a gas pipeline. As opposed to liquid mediums that help reduce friction, and with that the closing torque, high friction can be a challenge in gas.

Which type of rubber should you choose? This depends on the nature of the application. For instance, a shock absorber in a windmill nacelle requires high strength, good cold flexibility, good bonding with metal, etc. Here, an SBR/natural rubber would be a good choice. In contrast, a gasket for contact with biodiesel requires a special rubber, such as NBR or even FKM. Naturally, compliance is an important aspect; in which country will the product be used, and in which markets will you launch the product?

The primary types of rubber for the energy sector are, among others: - NBR for gas, oil, fuel and fuel cells - HNBR for oil and fuel cells - FKM for fuel - EPDM for batteries - Silicone for high voltage

Consumer safety in a global perspective If your company operates in multiple markets, you know all about the challenge of complying with the different legal requirements, recommendations and standards – and the burden that comes along with the obligations of documentation. We send our rubber formulations and test samples to independent, accredited test institutes for testing. This list shows a selection of the many standards fulfilled by rubber compounds from AVK GUMMI: - EN 682 GBL - EN 549 - GB/T 23658