Graphitized Carbon Papers
Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) sheets are porous, graphitized, resin bonded carbon fiber papers and multi-ply panels specifically designed for use in PEM, AEM, DMFC and PAFC fuel cells, Electrolyzers, Humidifiers and Other Electrochemical Devices.
These products are optimized, among other, for their electrical conductivity, mechanical strength and durability, gas/air permeability and water management. GDLs are available in a wide range of standard and custom grades, densities, sizes and materials for fuel cells, electrolyzers, humidifiers, specialty batteries and other electrochemical applications. They can be coated, inked or loaded as Anode or Cathode catalyst layers for Membrane electrode assemblies. CAPLINQ offers the full range of GinerELX (previously known as Engineered Fibers Technology) product line while we also offer our newly developer LINQCELL product line.
All of our default Gas difussion layer panel sizes are either 20x20 or 40 x 40cm. 55 x 55cm only remain for some spectracarb grades that are being discontinued. Custom sizes are available for special orders and larger quantities. Sheet thicknesses range from as low as 0.18mm (7mil) to as thick as 2.9mm (114mil). Densities of the panels range from as low as 0.5 g/cc to 0.8 g/cc.
Custom sizes, machined discs, and other customer defined shapes, as well as machining, water proofing and surface grinding services are also available. Contact us with your query.
- 0.18mm - 180um - 7mil
- Alternative to 0850
- Gas difussion layer and electrode
- 0.24mm - 240um - 9.5mil
- Alternative to 1050
- Gas difussion layer and electrode
- 1.5mm - 1500um - 59mil
- Alternative to 6060
- Graphitized Carbon Plate
- 1.85mm - 1850um - 73mil
- Alternative to 7590
- Graphitized Carbon Plate
- 2.9mm - 2900um - 114mil
- Thickest GDL available
- Graphitized Carbon Plate
- Spectracarb 2050A - Multiple grades
- Gas Diffusion Layer Sheets
- Discontinued Q4 2021
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Graphitized Carbon Papers and Plates | Product | Thickness | Thickness (mm) | Density (g/cm3) | Basis weight (g/m2) | Through-Plane Resistance (mΩcm2) | Through-Plane Resistivity (mΩcm) | Voltage Loss (mV) |
| GDS 180S | 0.007" | 0.18 | - | 50 | 7 | - | - |
| GDL 240 | 0.009" | 0.24 | - | 90 | 15 | - | - |
| GDL 1500 | 0.059" | 1.5 | 0.60 | 858 | 13.32 | 90.6 | 24.3 |
| GDL 1850 | 0.072" | 1.85 | 0.85 | 1562 | 13.18 | 70.5 | 25.5 |
| GDL 2900 | 0.011" | 2.9 | 0.60 | 1734 | 24.57 | 87.7 | 27.6 |
All values are indicative and subject to tolerance
Spectracarb 2050A properties (Discontinued Q4 2021) | Product | Thickness | Thickness (mm) | Density | Required Loading for 12.5% ± 0.5% Strain | Through-Plane Resistivity | Standard size |
| Spectracarb 0850 | .0075" ±.001"
| 0.19 ±0.02 | 0.5 g/cm³ ± 0.075
| 100 lbf/in² ± 50
| 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 16 x 16" |
| Spectracarb 1050 | .011" ±.001" | 0.28 ±0.02 | 0.5 g/cm³ ± 0.075 | 100 lbf/in² ± 50 | 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 16 x 16" |
| Spectracarb 1550 | .0145" ±.001" | 0.37 ±0.02 | 0.5 g/cm³ ± 0.075 | 100 lbf/in² ± 50 | 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 16 x 16" |
| Spectracarb 6060 | .06" ±.005" | 1.5 ±0.12 | 0.6 g/cm³ ± 0.075 | 300 lbf/in² ± 100 | 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 22 x 22" |
| Spectracarb 7090 | .064" ±.003" | 1.6 ±0.07 | 0.775 g/cm³ ± 0.075 | 400 lbf/in² ± 150 | 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 22 x 22" |
| Spectracarb 7090XT | .084" ±.003" | 2.1 ±0.07 | 0.775 g/cm³ ± 0.075 | 400 lbf/in² ± 150 | 100 mOhm-cm @175 lbf/in² | 22 x 22" |
Frequently asked questions about Graphitised carbon plates
What is GDL Wet proofing?
A very common technique that is applied on GDLs is Wet proofing. Wet proofing the panels improves the water transport, increasing the total power generation. Additionally, wet proofing can stop GDLs from shedding carbon particles which helps with GDL handling.
Wet proofing Gas diffusion layers can be achieved by teflon dispersion or by applying hydrophobic treatments.
What is the GDL role in the assembly?
Gas diffusion layers structurally help the stack withstand the extension caused by the water absorbency. In addition to that, they aid with heat transfer, electrical surface conductivity, and the removal of excess water from the electrodes that is produced by redox reactions.
Finally, and most importantly, they clear the path for the Fuel and the Oxidizing agent towards the catalyst layers.
Gas diffusion layers
Gas diffusion layers are mainly based on Carbon cloth, felt graphite or Carbon paper and they can be treated to acquire various properties. They ensure the uniform distribution of reactive gases on the surface of the electrodes, and they also aid the transport of electrons to or from the external electrical circuit.
Their two main roles are:
- Substrates for Electrodes / Catalyst layers
- Gas diffusion layers for 5 layer membrane assemblies
As an electrode we combine them with a catalyst ink to create the electrodes that go on either side of the ion exchange membranes.
For example they can be used as Cathode current collectors for PEM electrolyzers.
PEM water electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. A typical PEM eletrolyzer operates between 60°C and 90°C under pressures between 1 and 20 bars. An important part of the assembly is the porous current collector.
Main Functions of the current collector:
- Current conduction BiP to electrodes
- Medium to transport H2O and O2
- Mechanical Support of MEA
Desired Properties of the collector are low Interfacial Contact Resistance, high electrical conductivity, structural stability and compressibility and finally Electrochemical corrosion and Hydrogen embrittlement resistance
As a, real, Gas diffusion layer we use them for what they really are. In a MEA5 we have the following order (see image above):
- Gas diffusion layer
- Anode
- Ion exchange membrane
- Cathode
- Gas diffusion layer
Gas diffusion layers structurally help the stack withstand the extension caused by the water absorbency. In addition to that, they aid with heat transfer, electrical surface conductivity, and the removal of excess water from the electrodes that is produced by redox reactions. Finally, and most importantly, they clear the path for the Fuel and the Oxidizing agent towards the catalyst layers.
Graphitized Carbon Panels
Presented at Hannover Messe April 2016
Graphitized carbon fiber plate Applications
Graphitised carbon fiber papers have multiple uses but their main applications are typically gas diffusion layers or the base for the anode and cathode assembly sides. These are popular products for electrolyzers, PEM and AEM fuel cells, electrochemical devices and other specialty applications.
When used as Fuel cell electrodes they have very high strength, high conductivity and high durability. The GDLs have good air permeability and moisture transport and can be used for lab scale prototypes to mass commercial scale manufacturing.
PAFC (Phosphoric acid fuel cell) are mostly used for stationary power, PEM and AEM fuel cells for transportation power and eletrolyzers, well, they are electrolyzers. GDLs have been successfully used for fuel cells utilisation in the Asian markets and have powered the transportation grid for the Olympics and the World Expo.
GDL production process
There are multiple steps to ensure our Gas diffusion layers are meeting the expected application requirements.
Typical process looks like the following:
- Carbon handsheet production (wet laid process)
- Thermoset resin impregnation
- In process inspection/Molding Panel preparation
- Compression molding/Trim
- In process inspection - Testing/Furnace stack preparation
- Graphitization
- Final inspection/Evaluation
Our technical expertise with materials development along with our established supply chain and engineering management is key to produce a consistent and high level graphitised carbon plate.
If quantity makes sense we are open to produce and provide alternative thicknesses and grades
A short history of Spectracarb
In December 2018 GinerELX acquired the entirety of the Engineered Fibers Technology (EFT) company including branding, manufacturing, stock and all of the company’s assets while naturally inheriting their entire customer base. As part of their acquisition, GinerELX analyzed the existing business model and realized that they had to completely transform and reorganize the costs and production lines, reevaluate the product portfolio and manufacturing process to ensure that they can continue providing exceptional quality and service.As a result, effective August the 1st, GinerELX has adapted or completely removed some of the product lines to reflect the services GinerELX’s clients mostly need.
But the story didn't end there. Shortly after, GinerElX was acquired by Plugpower. Plugpower decided to keep all Spectracarb grades for their in house electrochemical needs and not distribute or sell to external parties. Hence Spectracarbs are no longer available for purchase after the end of 2021.
Caplinq used their long manufacturing experience and expertise to develop alternatives for all the popular legacy grades that are now branded under our LINQCELL GDL trade name.
You find them listed on our website or contact us for additional information.
