Yokohama Rubber is going to launch Japan’s first hydrogen rubber hose “ibar HG70” for hydrogen gas of 70MPa, which has been developed in collaboration with Iwatani Industrial Gases for a planned start of full-fledged sales in the market in the coming summer season.

The product employs for reinforcement inside the rubber a synthetic fiber of PBO instead of the wire which is used generally for high-pressure hoses. PBO is a very strong and elastic material applied to shot-proof vests, fire-fighting clothing or concrete-reinforcing material. The feature has realized the properties of lightweight, flexibility and durability of the product.

The product has already been extensively used as a dispenser hose for the major domestic stations, and is being planned for an expanded adoption at more stations following the start of full-fledged sales at this time. The delivery condition until now is a charged supply just before the launch to the market.

Yokohama Rubber came to the joint development with Iwatani Industrial Gases on the occasion of its acceptance of consignment in 2003 for the project of NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) under the title of “R&D on the System Technology of H2 Filling Station Facilities of 70MPa class.” Although the product is now supplied to only H2 stations, Yokohama Rubber is studying feasibility to apply to other fields like H2 transportation or the welding work sites.

Preceding the said product, a rubber hose capable for 35MPa “ibar HG35” commercialized in 2006 have been sold across the country through Yokohama Rubber MB Japan which is the sales affiliate of Yokohama Rubber for industrial supplies. It has been employed for dispenser hoses for 35MPa capable H2 stations or piping in compressed hydrogen filling plants.

Photo: ibar HG70