Advanced Sealing Solutions for the Hydrogen Industry

Garlock offers unique, rugged sealing solutions for the hydrogen industry.

Garlock provides industry-leading sealing solutions engineered to meet the demanding requirements of hydrogen production, processing, storage, and distribution.

Garlock's fire-safe, corrosion-resistant sealing solutions are trusted in hydrogen and oxygen service to maintain system safety, process purity, and performance in demanding conditions. As a design partner, we help improve electrolyzer sealability and address challenges like edge leakage, MEA permeation, and membrane buckling. Our materials meet exacting purity and surface cleanliness requirements and are available with ICP test results. Designed to maximize uptime and reduce maintenance, our products ensure system integrity from ultrapure water delivery through hydrogen production to hydrogen and oxygen processing.

Click to Explore Hydrogen Sealing Solutions for Every Stage:

Upstream Feedstock and Chemical Handling

Ultrapure water treatment for PEM electrolyzers, KOH storage and piping for AWE and AEM systems, and steam supply for SOEC processes.

Gaskets for Chemical Resistance in Alkaline Electrolysis

Gaskets for Chemical Resistance in Alkaline Electrolysis – GYLON® 3510, GYLON EPIX® 3510, and GYLON® 3545

For alkaline electrolyzers and other chemical-heavy hydrogen processes, GYLON® 3510, GYLON EPIX® 3510, and GYLON® 3545 deliver proven sealing performance and long-term chemical resistance. These materials are ideal for handling aggressive media like potassium hydroxide (KOH) feed in electrolysis. GYLON® 3510 and its EPIX® version are widely used in Europe for this purpose, offering excellent creep resistance, sealability, and chemical compatibility. GYLON® 3545 provides high compressibility and chemical resistance across a broad pH range, supporting system integrity in both processing and distribution.

Gaskets for Ultrapure Water and Low-Load Applications

Gaskets for Ultrapure Water and Low-Load Applications – GYLON® 3522, STRESS SAVER® 3522, and GYLON EPIX® 3510

Engineered for high-purity hydrogen systems and low-load flanges, these gaskets offer reliable sealing with minimal creep and excellent performance with limited bolt load. GYLON® 3522 is ideal for ultrapure water service, ensuring chemical compatibility and long-term durability. STRESS SAVER® 3522 features raised ribs to improve sealability with non-metallic or polymer cell components. GYLON EPIX® 3510 adds a versatile option for low-load applications with enhanced compressibility and stress distribution.

Hydrogen Production

Whether supporting Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE), Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) systems, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) systems, or Solid Oxide Electrolyzers (SOEC), Garlock materials are engineered for chemical resistance, long-term seal integrity, and reliable mechanical performance under demanding operating conditions. Custom and molded gasket options are available for applications requiring precise geometry. Garlock’s advanced processing capabilities enable gasket and component geometries that can provide unique technical solutions to membrane support and cell design challenges associated with pressurized electrolyzer designs.

Gaskets for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Sealing Solutions for Alkaline Electrolyzers – GYLON® 3510, GYLON EPIX® 3510, and Style 8314 EPDM

Alkaline electrolyzers require sealing solutions that resist aggressive chemical environments while maintaining performance under low bolt loads. GYLON® 3510 and GYLON EPIX® 3510 are engineered for long-term chemical exposure to caustic media such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Their exceptional compression retention and low creep help maintain tight seals and prevent hydrogen leaks, reducing the need for retorquing and minimizing system inefficiencies. Style 8314 EPDM offers excellent compatibility with KOH and reliably seals under very low stress, making it ideal for use with thin or non-metallic components. Garlock also offers custom-cut and molded gasket options to support low-load sealing requirements in AWE and AEM assemblies.

Compressible Sealing Materials for PEM Electrolyzers

Compressible Sealing Materials for PEM Electrolyzers – GYLON® 3545, GYLON® 3504, and GYLON EPIX® 3504

PEM electrolyzers feature thin, delicate cell components that require highly compressible, chemically stable sealing materials. GYLON® 3545 delivers excellent bolt load retention (low creep) and reduced hydrogen permeation, offering superior long-term sealing performance compared to ePTFE options. GYLON® 3504 and GYLON EPIX® 3504 provide enhanced compressibility, making them well-suited for stack designs with thin sealing surfaces and tight tolerances. For PEM systems with strict contamination control requirements, ICP testing is available to validate material purity, surface cleanliness, and ensure membrane compatibility. When stack geometries require precise sealing surfaces or profiles, Garlock also offers custom-molded or die-cut gaskets designed for low-stress, high-integrity sealing.

High-Temperature Sealing for Solid Oxide Electrolyzers

High-Temperature Sealing for Solid Oxide Electrolyzers – THERMa-PUR®

Solid oxide electrolyzers operate under extreme thermal and chemical conditions, requiring gaskets that maintain seal integrity in aggressive environments. THERMa-PUR® is engineered to withstand continuous temperatures up to 1832°F (1000°C) and offers exceptional resistance to thermal cycling, steam, caustics, and oxidation. Its proprietary formulation provides reliable sealing performance for SOEC system components exposed to both high heat and harsh media. Custom-cut and fabricated THERMa-PUR® gaskets are available to meet unique design requirements and ensure robust sealing across a range of SOEC configurations.

Downstream Hydrogen Processing

Garlock sealing solutions ensure safety and reliability in both oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen storage, piping, and distribution systems, minimizing leaks and optimizing performance in fueling stations and processing facilities.

Compression Packing for High-Pressure Hydrogen Valves

Compression Packing for High-Pressure Hydrogen Valves – 9010 EVSP Low Emission Ring Set

Designed specifically for high-pressure hydrogen valves, 9010 EVSP provides exceptional sealing capabilities, extended service life, and reduced need for adjustments. This fire-safe, low-emission packing withstands elevated or cryogenic temperatures and continuous exposure to hydrogen gas, ensuring safe and reliable performance in compression, storage, and distribution systems. By reducing wear and minimizing maintenance frequency, 9010 EVSP helps operators maximize uptime, maintain regulatory compliance, and minimizes hydrogen losses through valve stems and packings.

Fire-Safe Metal Gaskets for Hydrogen Piping and Storage

Fire-Safe Metal Gaskets for Hydrogen Piping & Storage – FLEXSEAL® H2 Spiral Wound Metal Gaskets

FLEXSEAL® H2 is a spiral wound metal gasket for high-pressure hydrogen and oxygen storage and piping applications. It features 316 stainless steel inner and outer rings, cleaned for oxygen service, making it suitable for both hydrogen and oxygen downstream of the electrolyzer. The gasket has dual-layer sealing: PTFE inner filler for sealability, chemical resistance, and purity, and flexible graphite outer filler for fire safety, ensuring leak-free performance and reduced emissions. It includes an inner ring to prevent radial buckling, accommodates flange classes from 150# to 2500#, and complies with ASME B16.20 and B31.12 standards. Alternative configurations are available upon request.

Expansion Joints for the Extreme Conditions of Hydrogen Processing

Expansion Joints for the Extreme Conditions of Hydrogen Processing – Styles P2000, Style 204, Style 204HP, and Style 206 EZ-FLO

Garlock expansion joints provide reliable flexibility for hydrogen systems, accommodating temperature fluctuations, pressure shifts, and mechanical movements. Engineered with customizable tube liner materials, they are resistant to caustic byproducts, high humidity, and oxygen exposure, making them essential for ensuring system longevity in hydrogen processing applications. Their high-resilience construction reduces stress on piping systems, minimizing the risk of fatigue failures and unplanned maintenance, while offering industry-leading chemical compatibility and durability.

Diaphragms in Hydrogen Compression & Purification

Diaphragms in Hydrogen Compression & Purification – 3522 PTFE Diaphragms

Garlock PTFE diaphragms deliver superior performance in hydrogen compression and purification systems, offering extreme chemical resistance and long-term durability. These diaphragms ensure tight, consistent sealing in high-pressure gas handling applications while preventing degradation over time. Their non-permeable construction helps reduce fugitive emissions, enhancing system efficiency and improving overall hydrogen purity. Designed for extended operational life, these diaphragms provide a cost-effective solution for maintaining peak system performance.

KEY HYDROGEN INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Hydrogen Production (e.g., Electrolysis, Steam Methane Reforming), High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage, Cryogenic Hydrogen Handling, Hydrogen Purification, Hydrogen Compression, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Manufacturing, Hydrogen Pipeline Sealing, Hydrogen Distribution, Hydrogen Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair, Ultrapure Water Treatment, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzers, Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Storage and Piping, Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE) Systems, Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Systems, Steam Supply, Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) Processes.