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Manufacturing capabilities for SOFC/SOE applications

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Manufacturing Capabilities for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Applications

Flexitallic has developed a unique patented process to produce a very compressible, flexible sheet sealing material with very tightly controlled thickness and density for use in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolyser (SOE) applications.

The resulting sheet material can be easily cut into seals with complex shapes including those with narrow land widths (≥4mm). The controllable manufacturing approach means sheet material can be produced in a range of thicknesses (0.3mm to 1.0mm) to suit different designs.

We operate a low volume line for prototyping and development and are implementing the first fully automatic line which will support customer’s requirements for high volume production.

Gasket Cutting Facilities

Flexitallic has a range of different cutting technologies that can handle single seals to high volume production requirements. DXF/CAD files are accepted for complex parts.

Our cutting capabilities continue to evolve and develop to support the demands of our customers. Depending on volumes and the turnaround time we operate a range of cutting systems:

  • Low-volume requirements

    For low volume and prototype seals we utilise manual presses combined with steel rule die cutters. Tooling can be quickly manufactured to enable rapid prototyping. We also operate CNC knife cutting machines as required.

  • Medium-volume requirements

    For medium volume requirements we operate semi-automatic presses with CNC machined die tools which give tighter tolerances but are more costly and have a longer lead time.

  • High-volume requirements

    For high volume demands we are implementing multi-impression matched die tooling combined with fully automatic, robotic handling and vision inspection in dedicated cutting cells.

  • Prototypes and cut samples

    Available on request.

Contact Flexitallic

Reach out to our expert team for your next SOFC application

Within the SOFC/SOEC industry each design is different, and each customer has their own specific requirements. We can support your design engineers with guidance on best practice for seal design to ensure that performance is optimised as well as manufacturing.

We are constantly developing Thermiculite® and our products to match the Solid Oxide technologies development and meet the requirements of our customers. At our SOC centre of excellence in the UK, we operate a state-of-the-art laboratory and test facility. The lab contains analytical, test and measurement systems to support the development and manufacture of our materials.

Analytical equipment includes particle size and surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 3D vision measuring systems.

If you have specific requirements, our material technologists can work with you to develop a custom formulation.

In addition to our range of test equipment for standardised gasket industry testing, we also have two custom SOFC rigs which are specifically designed to replicate the conditions within a fuel cell and enable us to perform short and long duration leak testing at operational temperatures.

The system is fully programmable which allows us to customise the test routine to match a customer’s application. This means we can customise test durations; temperatures – including full thermal cycles- and vary loading on the seals whilst measuring leakage rates. Four samples can be tested in simultaneously in each rig, meaning we can test eight samples at once.

We have a program in place to expand our test capabilities which includes long-term exposure furnaces to replicate the conditions within an electrolysis cell. Custom tests are available on request.

Engineered Gaskets
Fuel Cell Testing

Within the SOFC/SOEC industry each design is different, and each customer has their own specific requirements. We can support your design engineers with guidance on best practice for seal design to ensure that performance is optimised as well as manufacturing.

We are constantly developing Thermiculite® and our products to match the Solid Oxide technologies development and meet the requirements of our customers. At our SOC centre of excellence in the UK, we operate a state-of-the-art laboratory and test facility. The lab contains analytical, test and measurement systems to support the development and manufacture of our materials.

Analytical equipment includes particle size and surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 3D vision measuring systems.

If you have specific requirements, our material technologists can work with you to develop a custom formulation.

In addition to our range of test equipment for standardised gasket industry testing, we also have two custom SOFC rigs which are specifically designed to replicate the conditions within a fuel cell and enable us to perform short and long duration leak testing at operational temperatures.

The system is fully programmable which allows us to customise the test routine to match a customer’s application. This means we can customise test durations; temperatures – including full thermal cycles- and vary loading on the seals whilst measuring leakage rates. Four samples can be tested in simultaneously in each rig, meaning we can test eight samples at once.

We have a program in place to expand our test capabilities which includes long-term exposure furnaces to replicate the conditions within an electrolysis cell. Custom tests are available on request.

Quality management, environmental, and safety standards

As a business, we are accredited to the quality management, environmental, health and safety standards: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

Each and every Thermiculite® batch produced at Flexitallic undergoes extensive testing prior to dispatch. During manufacturing, a variety of in-process tests and checks are performed to ensure compliance with our internal manufacturing standards, procedures, and specific customer requirements.

Our dedicated quality engineering team ensure our systems are aligned with VDA 6 using the five core tools of:

  • Statistical Process Control SPC

  • Measurement Systems Analysis MSA

  • Failure Mode Effect Analysis FMEA

  • Advanced Product Quality Planning APQP

  • Production Part Approval Process PPAP

We operate a range of equipment to routinely assess the compression characteristics, leakage performance, and validate incoming raw material using specialist equipment. This includes vision measurement, particle size analysis, viscosity and solids measurement.

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