Experimental membrane AKE-4 and ionomer dispersion SS400, which are based equivalent weight (EW) 450 ionomer, were prepared. AKE-4 and SS400 combination was achieved high performance under the high temperature and low humidity condition (cell temperature = Tcell = 80°C, anode dew point = Tda = 60°C, dry air to the cathode). AKE-4 membrane also shows the good chemical durability.

The effect of boron addition was investigated on the toughness of quenched steels whose carbon content extends from 0.2 to 0.8 percent. The results are as follows. (1) Impact values of boron added steels are higher than boron-free steels' over the above carbon range. (2) Boron increases effectively both crack initiation and propagation energies. (3) Typically in the case of 0.8% carbon, the dominant fracture mode is transgranular in the boron added steel, while it is intergranular in the boron-free. It suggests that the boron excludes phosphorous segregating at the grain boundaries and consequently it strengthens the grain boundaries.

Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co. (AKC) has been developing and producing perfluorinated ionomer membrane for PEFC (PEM) to become new business as the core of membrane and energy business in the future. Recently we focus on R&D of PEM for both stationary and automotive application. In this paper, our latest achievement is summarized and elucidation of membrane degradation mechanism is also conducted.

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