As automakers continue to refine cutting-edge hydrogen vehicle technology, designing safe and durable hydrogen fuel tanks is essential. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is used for numerous tank manufacturing applications, but is susceptible to blistering and requires higher wall thickness compared to polyamides (PA) to meet permeation standards. Standard PA6 materials are cost-effective and demonstrate high thermal resistance, but often become brittle at sub-zero temperatures. To get ahead of competing suppliers, manufacturers need to select a thermoplastic solution that effectively balances their design, performance and cost considerations.
DSM launched Akulon® Fuel Lock to respond to rapidly increasing demand for sustainable materials for vehicles and outdoor equipment. The advanced PA6 is ideal for producing type IV pressure vessels that are 70% lighter than steel alternatives, and offer excellent mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and impact resistance throughout part lifetimes. Akulon Fuel Lock tank liners enhance vehicle safety and fuel efficiency by providing an excellent barrier that reduces permeation leakage of hydrogen from the pressure vessel.
Due to its unique chemical structure, Akulon Fuel Lock provides superior properties compared to HDPE and PA11. The material achieves a higher safety margin than HDPE when heated to 85°C and exceeds widely-used thermal stability safety standards. Fast fill testing conducted in a -40°C environment verifies that Akulon Fuel Lock performs well in low temperature conditions.
"Akulon® is our family of high performance polyamide 6 and polyamide 66 materials, used by customers across the world in applications ranging from automotive, electronics & electrical, to furniture and packaging."
"We offer Akulon® grades for injection molding, blow molding and extrusion (including barrier film, stock shapes, convoluted tubes, and mono and multi filament)."
"In molded parts the material offers an excellent balance of easy design and processing with outstanding mechanical properties over a wide temperature range and in diverse conditions. Meanwhile for extrusion the strength, resilience and easy processing of Akulon® sets the market standards."
"Akulon® is our family of high performance polyamide 6 and polyamide 66 materials, used by customers across the world in applications ranging from automotive, electronics & electrical, to furniture and packaging."
"We offer Akulon® grades for injection molding, blow molding and extrusion (including barrier film, stock shapes, convoluted tubes, and mono and multi filament)."
"In molded parts the material offers an excellent balance of easy design and processing with outstanding mechanical properties over a wide temperature range and in diverse conditions. Meanwhile for extrusion the strength, resilience and easy processing of Akulon® sets the market standards."
Direct and easy access to our broad portfolio of high-performance plastics: request a quote or order a sample. You can also simply ask our Hydrogen Tanks experts.
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