In collaboration with HyCentA Research GmbH, MOLYKOTE® developed an innovative lubricant testing protocol aligned with these standards. The grease underwent several weeks of exposure to hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bar, followed by a hydrogen gas and particle contamination analysis. The results showed that MOLYKOTE® HP-300 did not significantly contaminate hydrogen, ensuring compatibility with critical hydrogen applications such as fuel cell stacks. This achievement marks a significant step forward in advancing hydrogen technologies.
Pure hydrogen can be easily contaminated by any material with which it comes into contact, including lubricants. This necessitates critical testing to ensure purity for safety and performance. For hydrogen grades used in transportation applications, certain impurities with concentrations even as low as 4 parts per billion have the potential to compromise the integrity of the fuel cell. This rigorous assessment supports MOLYKOTE® HP-300 as a potential lubricant solution for hydrogen-exposed components in applications such as seals and threaded connections, reducing contamination risk while maintaining the integrity of critical parts. The grease’s performance in extreme conditions helps to support the safe and reliable hydrogen storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen.
In addition to its ability to help maintain hydrogen purity, MOLYKOTE® HP-300 helps to enable resistance against hydrogen and many chemicals while providing excellent low-temperature (–40°C) performance, which is critical for applications such as vehicle refueling. It does not support hydrogen embrittlement and is compatible with a wide range of substrates, including most elastomers and plastics.
