DELO and DATRON drive industrialization of fuel‑cell sealing applications with joint system solution

DELO and DATRON have developed a system solution that enables the sealing of fuel cells to be carried out with a high degree of automation and precision. The combination of DELO’s fast‑curing liquid gasket and UV‑curing technology with DATRON’s high‑speed dispensing system significantly shortens cycle times and increases process reliability – both during manufacturing and in the subsequent operation of fuel cells.

At the core of the solution is DELO PHOTOBOND SL, a liquid gasket material specifically developed for fuel‑cell applications. It is applied in liquid form and cured by light within just a few seconds. In addition to its extremely short curing time, it offers high resistance to typical reference media such as sulfuric acid and deionized water – a key factor for the reliability and service life of modern fuel cells.

Precise application is ensured by the  DATRON evo 600, which achieves exceptionally high dispensing speeds of up to 50 meters per minute. The volumetric system guarantees a constant bead cross‑section, even at start and stop points. This makes it possible to produce hundreds of cells with consistently high quality that can then be reliably combined into a stack. The liquid application allows maximum design flexibility in gasket geometry and is ideally suited for automated production. Both the integrated confocal sensor, which measures the gasket height immediately after dispensing, and the adhesive’s fluorescence enable fast inline quality control.

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Stack sealing as a key factor in fuel‑cell industrialization

“Sealing the individual fuel cells is often an underestimated but decisive step in the entire stack manufacturing process. Only if absolute tightness is achieved can the system operate reliably over the long term,” emphasizes Julian Hopf, Product Manager Energy Storage and Conversion at DELO. “With the upcoming industrialization of fuel‑cell production, speed is equally essential – and this new system solution makes a major contribution to achieving it.”

The new manufacturing process developed by DELO and DATRON, by contrast, represents a highly scalable and future‑proof alternative – ideal for the transition from small‑scale to mass production. Up to now, sealing has typically relied on time‑consuming, complex, and energy‑intensive processes. 

The solution will be presented at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg (October 21–23, 2025; DELO: Hall B4, Booth 4H1; DATRON: Hall B7, Booth 7A75). With over 1,000 exhibitors and 20,000 attendees, the event is one of the world’s leading exhibitions for hydrogen and fuel‑cell technology.