News
<Clayteam Release>
Development of a coating material with world's highest hydrogen gas barrier property and incombustible property (Released on October 24, 2012)
< Title >
Development of a coating material with world’s highest hydrogen gas barrier property and incombustible property
< Point >
•Water / alcohol based paste that contains a clay and an organic binder
•Spray coating to the plastic surface is possible
•In addition to the high hydrogen barrier property, water vapor barrier property can be realized by a heat treatment
•Nonflammable property can also be realized
< Summary >
Takeo Ebina (Leader) and others, Advanced Functional Materials Team, the Research Center for Compact Chemical System (Director: Takamasa Hanaoka) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST; President: Tamotsu Nomakuchi), have developed a coating material with high hydrogen gas barrier property and incombustible property in collaboration with Miyagikasei Co., Ltd. (Miyagikasei); President: Akihiko Oyama).
AIST has been developing “Claist®,” a film material with clay as the principal constituent, and working to put it to practical use. The developed new water/alcohol based coating paste is containing specially treated clay and an alcohol-soluble heat-resistant plastic. Its viscosity is adjustable, so that in addition to self-supporting film by solution casting process, surface coating by spray coating process is possible. A self-supporting film made from the paste has the world's highest hydrogen barrier, exceeding conventional clay films. The produced film acquire water resistance by simply drying, solving the problem of the low water resistance of conventional clay films. In addition, high water vapor barrier properties can also be realized by a heat treatment of more than 200 degree centigrade. It is also confirmed that the coating film, to enhance non-flammable property of a plastic material.
This composite material is widely applicable to various hydrogen storage containers that require further weight reduction, including hydrogen gas tanks for cars, fuel cell containers, and transportable liquid hydrogen storage facilities.
The details of this technology will be presented at AIST Open Lab held in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, on October 25 and 26, 2012 and at The 3rd International Symposium on Advanced Composite Materials held at AIST Tokyo Waterfront, on November 13, 2012.
< Future Plans >
Regarding the developed material, Miyagi Kasei is aiming at commercializing it within two months both in Japan and overseas. In addition, the researchers will work on the development of manufacturing technology, and the further evaluation of the material. The present research and development is supported by a "Supporting Industry Grant " Development of manufacturing technology of an incombustible transparent composite material and lighting cover using it (FY2012-2013)," of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.