Hitachi Metals to Develop Nb Alloy Foil for Hydrogen Permeable Film

Hitachi Metals announced on Tuesday the firm started development of niobium alloy foil for hydrogen permeable film. The firm tries to commercialize and start mass production by 2015 when the demand increases for hydrogen as next generation clean energy. The firm provides cheaper niobium alloy with efficient hydrogen making capacity and better hydrogen embrittlement property while prevailing palladium alloy film has the same performance but is much expensive.

The firm started the study through cooperation with Hitachi since 2005. Hitachi Metals focuses on niobium alloy, of which National University Corporation Kitami Institute of Technology and ULVAC have the patent, as the cheaper film development. Hitachi Metals tries to develop higher performance and mass production technology of the alloy foil.

The alloy foil can be made at existing production facility for spare blade material of razor. The firm expects the firm can establish mass production system without major investment.

Hydrogen is used to make industrial products including glass, semiconductor and oil and fats. Hydrogen is made through steam reforming process and the mixed gas containing carbon dioxide and other elements is purified for industrial use. Prevailing purification process of pressure swing adsorption, however, needs major initial cost, running cost and maintenance cost.

Hydrogen permeable film can remove only hydrogen from mixed gas. However, existing film is expensive due to the material of palladium alloy. The firm tries to offer cheaper and high performance niobium alloy for the industrial solution.