In order to explore properties of various rubber compounds after thermal aging under the condition similar to the operating environment of a fuel cell-stack, heat resistance and compression set of those compounds were investigated for a long term operation in H2SO4, H2O, and LLC (ethylene glycol:H2O=50:50) solution. It was assumed that aging Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and Elthylene Propylene diene rubber (EDPM) compound in the solution resulted in discoloration as time passed. It was also found that hydrolysis was developed on the Silicone rubber (VMQ) compound intentionally aged under acidic condition by means of TGA, SEM, and EDS analysis.

연료전지 스택 작동환경에서의 열노화 특성을 살펴보기 위하여 다양한 고무 compound의 내열 및 압축 영구 줄음률의 평가를 실시하고, 스택의 장시간 운전을 통해 접합할 수 있는 대상액인 H2SO4, H2O, LLC (Ethylene glycol:H2O=50:50)에 대하여 장시간 평가를 실시하였다. NBR과 EPDM은 시간이 경과할수록 침적액의 변색하는 것을 알 수 있었으며, VMQ는 H2SO4 분위기에서 시간에 따라 고무가 노화되는 것을 TGA, SEM, EDS 분석을 통하여 확인하였다.