Applications
AvCarb products play a pivotal role in advancing clean energy technologies. Their high-performance, durability, conductivity, and overall versatility make them indispensable in advancing clean energy solutions. We are proud that our products are contributing to a transformation of the worldwide energy landscape.
Fuel Cells
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells are a clean energy technology that generates electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water. At the core of this technology is the gas diffusion layer (GDL) that plays a crucial role in the fuel cell's overall performance. The gas diffusion layer provides mechanical support between the flow field and the catalyst layer, facilitates the reactant (gas) transport while managing the product (water) removal, and conducts both heat and electrons from the catalyst layer. The GDL is a porous and highly conductive material, typically carbon paper, that is specifically engineered to provide the best balance between mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties and gas/water permeability making it a critical component for high efficiency fuel cell operation.
Electrolyzers
Carbon porous transport layers play a pivotal role on the cathode side of an electrolyzer system. These layers are highly porous and conductive and provide mechanical compliance to account for manufacturing tolerances of other components. Additionally, carbon's chemical stability and electrical conductivity make it an ideal choice for electrolyzer applications. By enabling efficient hydrogen production, carbon materials contribute significantly to the performance and viability of electrolyzer systems, advancing the development of sustainable and clean energy technologies.
Flow Batteries
Redox flow batteries store excess energy from the grid or from intermittent renewable energy sources via electrolyte solutions, allowing scalable and long-term storage for grid stability and additional peak capacity. Carbon materials (typically cloth or fabric) serve as a versatile electrode in redox flow batteries due to their porous and conductive structure. The large surface area of carbon cloth facilitates reaction kinetics, enhancing battery efficiency, while its chemical stability and durability ensure prolonged cycling performance. The cloth-based electrode promotes even electrolyte distribution, reducing concentration polarization and enhancing overall battery efficiency. AvCarb utilizes a proprietary process that uniformly activates the surface of the cloth or fabric to further enhance the performance of the material.
Wet Friction
AvCarb manufactures a variety of woven carbon fabrics that are used for high-energy friction materials for a variety of applications including cone synchronizers, clutch plates, spindle drives, and brakes. The carbon fabric's inherent strength and exceptional thermal stability result in superior durability under high-energy conditions, reducing wear and maintaining a constant coefficient of friction over extended use. The tailored weave patterns and composite structures further optimize friction characteristics thereby improving control and responsiveness. Their unique properties and customizable designs make them an optimal choice for demanding applications that require a stable, high-energy friction material.
Fishing Reels
AvCarb® carbon fiber materials offer key advantages for fishing reel drag washers, including exceptional durability, rapid heat dissipation, and thermal stability for consistent performance. Their smooth friction ensures precise drag control, while being lightweight and corrosion-resistant enhances handling and durability in harsh environments. Suitable for all reel types—fly, trolling, spinning, and casting—AvCarb® can be used with or without lubricants.
