Flexitallic Investments Incorporated

Stuart John Shaw

Stephen Peter Bond

Yi Li

Michael Nash

David Peter Gerrard

Roberto Yumbla Orbes

John Hoyes

The present invention relates to composite sealing materials for a gasket. The gaskets are useful in solid oxide fuel/electrolyser cells (SOFC and SOEC). The fuel cell gaskets contain sealing material based upon chemically exfoliated vermiculite that has improved corrosion resistance. The sealing material comprises chemically exfoliated vermiculite; filler; and insoluble carbonate.

Sealing material

There is provided a gasket comprising a rigid core () defining an aperture (). The core has a serrated profile () on at least one of its upper and lower outer surfaces and the core is divided into upper and lower parts () each having a respective outer surface () and also an inner surface () opposite the outer surface. The gasket also includes an optional sealing facing () on the at least one outer serrated profile surface, wherein an inner insulating layer () is located between the said upper and lower parts so that it is operable to substantially reduce electrical conduction between the said upper and lower parts. There is described a method of production of the gasket and use of the gasket.

Gasket

A gasket having concentric or spiral serrations around the aperture on each side of the gasket, and wherein a facing is secured to such serrations, wherein each facing comprises a first layer which is in contact with a respective set of such serrations and a second layer which is in contact with the first layer. The first layer could be of a polyaryletherketone or polyimide, and the second layer could be of graphite or vermiculite. The serrations are designed to avoid damage to the first layer. An intact first layer can supply a property to the facing which may be absent in the second layer; for example, good dielectric properties.

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Leeds, United Kingdom

Stuart John Shaw