Two world premieres at H2 & FC EXPO 2026 in Tokyo
X-CONDUCT carbon coating for enhanced conductivity and corrosion resistance
Metallic bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells and PEM electrolyzers require functional coatings for conductivity, corrosion protection, and as a barrier against ion elution and hydrogen embrittlement. Enabling all these functions at low cost, carbon coatings have established themselves as a primary solution. However, they clearly face limitations when exposed to high corrosion voltage peaks during cold start of fuel cell systems and the related impact on lifetime.
This is why VON ARDENNE has developed the new carbon coating, X-CONDUCT, for unrivaled conductivity and corrosion resistance even under harsh conditions. The significant boost in performance was achieved by using the company’s most recent PVD technology – High Current Laser Arc (HCLA) evaporation.
X-CONDUCT not only outperforms other carbon coatings in terms of performance but also sets new standards regarding the total cost of ownership due to the successfully achieved scale-up of the HCLA technology and the more energy-efficient carbon deposition process.
VICA900: The world’s first PVD inline coating machine using HCLA
VON ARDENNE has not only scaled up the HCLA process but also developed a completely new equipment platform – the VICA900. This PVD (physical vapor deposition) machine is a true innovation as it combines the principle of continuous inline coating with HCLA technology. This groundbreaking innovation highlights VON ARDENNE’s industry-leading expertise in scaling new technologies and in designing and manufacturing best-in-class PVD inline coating systems.
With a focus on optimized total cost of ownership, the VICA900 platform supports double-sided coating in a vertical configuration. By integrating pre-treatment such as plasma etching processes, magnetron sputtering and HCLA evaporation, the system offers the flexibility and scalability that VON ARDENNE is renowned for.
In its base configuration, VICA900 Mid Volume, the system targets an annual output of 4.6 to 6.4 million bipolar plates and focuses on coatings for PEM fuel cell applications. It can be extended with additional PVD process sources to accommodate further applications, such as double-sided precious metal coating for PEM electrolyzer components. By further upgrading the machine configuration, the throughput can be significantly increased, achieving up to 10 million coated bipolar plates per year in the VICA900 High Volume setup.
VON ARDENNE and the GERMAN FUEL CELL COOPERATION at the H2 & FC EXPO 2026 – Booth and Contact
DATE: 17th – 19th March 2026
BOOTH: W11/58
WEB:
www.vonardenne.com | www.fuel-cell-cooperation.com | www.wsew.jp
VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures systems for the industrial vacuum coating of materials such as glass, wafers, metal strips or polymer films. Depending on the application, these coatings range from one nanometer to a few micrometers in thickness and provide new functional properties to the materials. Our customers use these coated materials to create high-quality products, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, solar cells, architectural glass, and components for semiconductors and optics.
With more than 60 years of experience in electron beam technology and over 50 years of experience in magnetron sputtering, VON ARDENNE is a pioneer and a worldwide leading supplier of systems and technologies in PVD thin-film and vacuum process technology. We offer our customers technologically mature vacuum coating systems, comprehensive expertise, and global service. The key technology components are developed and manufactured in-house at VON ARDENNE.
VON ARDENNE GmbH
Am Hahnweg 8
01328 Dresden
Telefon: +49 (351) 2637-300
Telefax: +49 (351) 2637-308
http://www.vonardenne.de
Marketing und Kommunikation
Telefon: +49 351 2637-300
E-Mail: iser.falk@vonardenne.com
