Nafion Properties

DuPont Fuel Cells
DuPont Nafion PFSA Membranes
N 115, N 117, N 1110

Description
DuPont Nafion PFSA membranes are non-reinforced films based on chemically stabilized
perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer in the acid (H+) form. The physical properties remain the same for
the chemically stabilized membranes, which exhibit substantially lower fluoride ion release compared to
the non-stabilized polymer a sign of improved chemical durability. Nafion PFSA membranes are
widely used for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The membrane
performs as a separator and solid electrolyte in a variety of electrochemical cells that require the
membrane to selectively transport cations across the cell junction. The polymer is chemically resistant
and durable.
Order and Packaging Information

Membrane dimensions are based on dry product conditioned at 23 C and 50% Relative Humidity before
cutting. The membranes water content will affect its dimensions, and the change may not be
symmetrical in the length, width, and thickness directions. In addition, certain conditioning steps
performed by the customer also may affect the dimensions. Customers may wish to review their
membrane treatment steps and dimensional requirements with a Nafion technical representative before
establishing membrane shipping dimensions.
Standard dry product dimensions for individual pieces include:
Width:
0.30 m (min.) to 1.22 m (max.)
Length:
0.30 m (min.) to 1.22 m (max.)
The membrane delivery package for cut pieces will depend on the size and quantity of the membrane
order. Smaller-sized membranes are shipped flat, while longer lengths of individual pieces are shipped
on a roll. The membranes are protected with a polyethylene wrap and inner packaging, then placed in
shipping containers.
Standard dry product dimensions for roll goods include:
Width:
Length:
12-in (0.305-m) and 24-in (0.610-m) standard roll widths,

and roll widths from 0.20-m (min.) up to 1.22-m (max.) on special order.
Intermediate widths available in increments of 0.125-in.
50-meter standard roll length
There is a 100 m2 minimum order requirement for non-standard roll widths and lengths. Membrane
pieces or rolls can be cut to custom sizes, and special packaging provided at additional cost and/or
delivery time. Please contact Nafion customer service for details.
Properties of Nafion PFSA Membrane

A. Thickness and Basis Weight Properties 1
Membrane Type
N 115
N 117
N 1110
Typical Thickness (microns)

127
183
254
Basis Weight (g/m2)

250
360
500
B. Physical and Other Properties 2

Property
Typical Value
Test Method
Physical Properties
Tensile Modulus, MPa (kpsi)
50% RH, 23 C
water soaked, 23 C
water soaked, 100 C
249 (36)
114 (16)
64 (9.4)
ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
Tensile Strength, maximum, MPa (kpsi)

50% RH, 23 C
water soaked, 23 C
water soaked, 100 C
43 (6.2) in MD, 32 (4.6) in TD

34 (4.9) in MD, 26 (3.8) in TD
25 (3.6) in MD, 24 (3.5) in TD
ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
Elongation at Break, %
50% RH, 23 C
water soaked, 23 C
water soaked, 100 C
225 in MD, 310 in TD

ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
ASTM D 882
Tear Resistance - Initial, g/mm

50% RH, 23 C
water soaked, 23 C
water soaked, 100 C
6000 in MD, TD
3500 in MD, TD
3000 in MD, TD
ASTM D 1004
ASTM D 1004
ASTM D 1004
>100 in MD, >150 in TD

92 in MD, 104 in TD
74 in MD, 85 in TD
ASTM D 1922
ASTM D 1922
ASTM D 1922
Tear Resistance - Propagating, g/mm

50% RH, 23 C
water soaked, 23 C
water soaked, 100 C
Specific Gravity
Other Properties
Conductivity, S/cm
Available Acid Capacity, meq/g
Total Acid Capacity, meq/g
1
2
3
4
1.98
0.10 min
0.90 min
0.95 to 1.01
see footnote
see footnote 5
see footnote5
Measurements taken with membrane conditioned to 23 C, 50% relative humidity (RH).

Physical Properties measured for N 115. Where specified, MD - machine direction, TD - transverse direction. Conditioning state
of membrane given. Measurements taken at 23 C, 50% RH.
Tear resistance (g/mm) of dry membrane increases with thickness. Values given measured using 50 micron membrane.
Conductivity measurement as described by Zawodzinski, et.al, J. Phys. Chem., 95 (15), 6040 (1991). Membrane conditioned in
100 C water for 1 hour. Measurement cell submersed in 25 C D.I. water during experiment. Membrane impedance (real)
taken at zero imaginary impedance.
A base titration procedure measures the equivalents of sulfonic acid in the polymer, and uses the measurement to calculate the
acid capacity or equivalent weight of the membrane.
Properties of Nafion PFSA Membrane

C. Hydrolytic Properties2
Property
Hydrolytic Properties
6
Water content, % water
7
Water uptake, % water
Thickness change, % increase
from 50% RH, 23 C to water soaked, 23 C
Linear expansion, % increase8
Typical Value
Test Method
5
38
ASTM D 570
ASTM D 570
10
14
ASTM D 756
ASTM D 756
10
15
ASTM D 756
ASTM D 756
Recommended Roll Storage Conditions

Unopened roll packages of Nafion PFSA membrane should be stored in the original shipping box, out of
direct sunlight, and in a climate-controlled environment, maintained at 10 to 30C, and 30 to 70% relative
humidity. Before opening the package, pre-condition the membrane roll to the processing area
temperature for 24 hours.
Once opened and exposed to the environment, the membrane will equilibrate to the ambient relative
humidity, and change in dimensions accordingly. Membrane order dimensions are specified and
measured at 23C and 50% Relative Humidity.
Handling Practices
Ventilation should be provided for safe handling and processing of Nafion PFSA membrane. The
amount of local exhaust necessary for processing Nafion PFSA membrane at elevated temperatures
will depend on the combined factors of membrane quantity, temperature, and exposure time.
Scrap Disposal
Preferred disposal options are (1) recycling and (2) landfill. Incinerate only if incinerator is capable of
scrubbing-out hydrogen fluoride and other acidic combustion products. Treatment, storage,
transportation, and disposal must be in accordance with applicable federal, state/provincial and local
regulations.
Safe Handling and Use of Nafion PFSA Membranes

The following information should be reviewed before handling and processing Nafion
PFSA Membranes:
DuPont Material Safety Data Sheet for Nafion PFSA Membranes N 115, N 117 and N 1110
"Safe Handling and Use of Perfluorosulfonic Acid Products" bulletin (DFC301.0209).
"Guide to Safe Handling of Fluoropolymer Resins", Fourth Edition, November 2005, Published by
the Fluoropolymers Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
6
7
8
Water content of membrane conditioned to 23 C, 50% relative humidity (RH), compared to dry weight basis.
Water uptake from dry membrane to water soaked at 100 C for 1 hour (dry weight basis).
Typical MD and TD values. MD expansion is slightly less than TD.
For information about product offerings from DuPont Fuel Cells, contact:
UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO and CENTRAL AMERICA
Nafion Membranes and Dispersions
MEA Components
DuPont Fuel Cells
P.O. Box 80701
Wilmington, DE 19880-0701
Tel: (302) 774-1258 or (800) 207-0756 (USA only)
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA
Nafion Membranes and Dispersions
DuPont
Via A. Volta 16
20093 Cologno Monzese
Milano, Italy
Fax: +39.02.27300969
MEA Components
DuPont
2 Chemin du Pavillion
CH-1228 Le Grand-Saconnex
Geneva, Switzerland
Fax: +41.22.717.5411
JAPAN
SOUTH AMERICA
DuPont Kabushiki Kaisha

4th Floor Chiyoda Honsha Bldg.
5-18, Sarugaku-cho 1-chrome
Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 101-0064
Fax: (03) 5281-5899
DuPont do Brasil SA
Alameda Itapecuru, 506 Alphaville
Barueri - S.P.
Brasil
CEP 06454-080
CHINA
KOREA
DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd.

15th Floor, Shui On Plaza
333 Huai Hai Road (Central)
Shanghai 200021, China
DuPont Korea, Inc.

3-5th Floors, Asia Tower #726
Yeoksam-dong, Kangnam-Ku
Seoul 135-719 Korea
TAIWAN
INDIA
DuPont Taiwan Limited

Hung Kuo Bldg.
13th Floor, 167 Tun Hwa North Road
Taipei, Taiwan 105
E.I. DuPont India Pvt. Ltd.

DLF Plaza Tower
DLF Qutab Enclave, Phase 1
Gurgaon 122 002
Haryana, India
fuelcells.dupont.com
TM
TM
Copyright 2009 DuPont or its affiliates. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont , The miracles of science , Nafion and all products
denoted with are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates. DFC101.0209
The data listed here fall within the normal range of product properties, but they should not be used to establish specification limits
nor used alone as the basis of design. This information is based on technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is
intended for use by persons having technical skill and at their own discretion and risk. This information is given with the
understanding that those using it will satisfy themselves that their particular conditions of use present no health or safety hazards.
Because conditions of product use are outside our control, DuPont makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no
obligation or liability in connection with any use of this information or for results obtained in reliance thereon. The disclosure of the
information is not a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent of DuPont or others.
Caution: Do not use in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body. For other medical applications,
see DuPont Medical Caution Statement, H-50102.

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DuPont Fuel Cells

DuPont Nafion PFSA Membranes

N 115, N 117, N 1110

Order and Packaging Information

0.30 m (min.) to 1.22 m (max.)

0.30 m (min.) to 1.22 m (max.)

12-in (0.305-m) and 24-in (0.610-m) standard roll widths,

Properties of Nafion PFSA Membrane

Typical Thickness (microns)

Basis Weight (g/m2)

B. Physical and Other Properties 2

Tensile Strength, maximum, MPa (kpsi)

43 (6.2) in MD, 32 (4.6) in TD

225 in MD, 310 in TD

Tear Resistance - Initial, g/mm

>100 in MD, >150 in TD

Tear Resistance - Propagating, g/mm

Measurements taken with membrane conditioned to 23 C, 50% relative humidity (RH).

Properties of Nafion PFSA Membrane

Recommended Roll Storage Conditions

Safe Handling and Use of Nafion PFSA Membranes

"Safe Handling and Use of Perfluorosulfonic Acid Products" bulletin (DFC301.0209).

DuPont Kabushiki Kaisha

DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd.

DuPont Korea, Inc.

DuPont Taiwan Limited

E.I. DuPont India Pvt. Ltd.

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