Composite multilayer seal for pem fuel cell applications and method for constructing the same

A composite seal, said composite seal comprising:

• a base layer formed from a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent;
• a core layer formed from an elastomer constituent, said core layer deposited over said base layer;
• and
• a protective layer formed from a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent, said protective layer applied over said core layer to coat said elastomer constituent.

A method of constructing a composite seal on a component, said method comprising the steps of:

• loading said component into a holding fixture;
• applying a primer along a periphery of said component;
• dispensing an elastomer constituent directly onto said primed periphery of said component, said elastomer constituent forming a base layer of said composite seal;
• and
• applying a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent over said elastomer constituent, said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent coating a surface of said elastomer constituent to form a substantially thin protective layer over said base layer.

A method of constructing a composite seal on a component, said method comprising the steps of:

• loading said component into a holding fixture;
• applying a primer along a periphery of said component;
• applying a first layer of a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent directly onto said primed periphery of said component;
• dispensing an elastomer constituent directly over said first layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent, said elastomer constituent forming a core layer of said composite seal;
• and
• applying a second layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent over said elastomer constituent, said second layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent coating a surface of said elastomer constituent to form a substantially thin protective layer over and encapsulate said core layer.

A method of sealing two component parts using a composite seal, said method comprising the steps of:

• loading a first component part;
• applying a primer along a periphery of said first component part;
• dispensing an elastomer constituent directly onto said primed periphery of said first component part, said elastomer constituent forming a base layer of said composite seal;
• applying a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent over said elastomer constituent, said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent coating a surface of said elastomer constituent to form a substantially thin protective layer over said base layer;
• loading a second component part, wherein a periphery of said second component part is aligned with said periphery of said first component part having said composite seal formed thereon;
• and
• joining said second component part to said first component part along their said peripheries, sealing said first component part and said second component part together.

A method of sealing two component parts using a composite seal, said method comprising the steps of:

• loading a first component part;
• applying a primer along a periphery of said first component part;
• applying a first layer of a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent directly onto said primed periphery of said first component part;
• dispensing an elastomer constituent directly over said first layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent, said elastomer constituent forming a core layer of said composite seal;
• applying a second layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent over said elastomer constituent, said second layer of said fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent coating a surface of said elastomer constituent to form a substantially thin protective layer over and encapsulate said core layer;
• loading a second component part, wherein a periphery of said second component part is aligned with said periphery of said first component part having said composite seal formed thereon;
• and
• joining said second component part to said first component part along their said peripheries, sealing said first component part and said second component part together.