Polycarbonate for Fuel Cell Applications > Fuel Cell Dispatch

Polycarbonate for Fuel Cell Applications

When selecting a material that could be used to form proprietary components of its new fuel cell, ReliOn turned to a proven plastic material: polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience.

ReliOn’s E-1100 hydrogen fuel cell provides 1,100 watts of power. Its modular, compact (7” tall) and fault-tolerant design makes it ideal for use in wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers; government communications, such as disaster response, flight guidance and security applications; and transportation network communications, including railroad signaling and traffic signage. Because there is no combustion in the process, emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water, which makes it an extremely clean and renewable source of energy.

The resin specified, Makrolon 2458 polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience, offers a number of beneficial properties, including good dimensional stability – even over a wide range of temperature and moisture, according to Kevin Dunay, market leader – Electrical/Electronic (EE) and Information Technology (IT), Polycarbonates NAFTA, Bayer MaterialScience.

“Our Makrolon polycarbonate plastic was a good fit for the E-1100 fuel cell. The material grade chosen satisfies the safety tolerance requirements of the product,” says Dunay, who notes that fuel cell components that utilize the Bayer MaterialScience plastic are molded by H&H Molds, Spokane, Wash.

Dunay also points out that materials experts at Bayer MaterialScience assisted ReliOn with material selection, assuring that the grade chosen met the product’s stringent requirements.

“Bayer MaterialScience’s guidance was helpful in our decision to use its Makrolon polycarbonate,” says Sandra Saathoff, director, Marketing Communication, ReliOn. “Choosing the right material was a key step to making our product vision a reality.”

For more information visit www.relion-inc.com or www.bmsnafta.com.