STARLITE at Gastech 2026
Advanced Polymer Solutions for Hydrogen, LNG and Gas Processing
From evaluation at −196°C to compressor rings, non-contact seals, cryogenic valve seats and FRP honeycomb insulation structures, STARLITE combines material engineering, component design, manufacturing and in-house validation for demanding energy applications.
Exhibition Highlights
Polymer Engineering for Critical Energy Equipment
Gas and cryogenic equipment must manage leakage, friction, wear, dimensional change and restricted lubrication under severe operating conditions. At Gastech 2026, STARLITE will present four solution areas that connect materials, geometry and performance validation.
Cryogenic Evaluation & Valve Seats
Mechanical, tribological and gas-sealing evaluation at −196°C, including valve-seat applications for LNG and liquid hydrogen.
Explore the solution 02Reciprocating Compressor Rings
Long-life ALP rings for hydrogen, CO₂ and other demanding process-gas environments.
Explore the solution 03Non-Contact Centrifugal Compressor Seals
Low-thermal-expansion polymer solutions for labyrinth and abradable seal designs.
Explore the solution 04FRP Honeycomb Insulation
Lightweight, high-strength insulation structures for cryogenic pipes and tank supports.
Explore the solution
01 / LNG & Liquid Hydrogen
Cryogenic Evaluation and Valve-Seat Development
For LNG and liquid hydrogen applications, STARLITE evaluates mechanical properties, tribological performance, gas-sealing performance and changes occurring on tested surfaces. These results support material selection, valve-seat development and component-design proposals.
Mechanical-property and toughness testing at −196°C to compare the effects of cryogenic temperatures on candidate materials.
Pin-on-shaft and pin-on-disk testing to evaluate friction and wear under cryogenic conditions.
Helium gas-seal testing up to 5 MPa at −196°C, supporting valve-seat proposals for liquid hydrogen and LNG applications.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to examine surface composition and elemental distribution.
Evaluation and Analysis Examples
Wear-Resistance Compatibility of ALP Grades by Dry-Gas Type
| Dry Gas | ALP #31124 | ALP #36804 | ALP #36955 | ALP #30525 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H₂ | Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| CH₄ | Poor | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| CO₂ | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Ar | Poor | Good | Poor | Poor |
Internal comparative evaluation. Performance and suitable material grades depend on pressure, temperature, speed, mating material and other operating conditions.
02 / Hydrogen & Process Gases
Reciprocating Compressor Rings for Hydrogen and Process Gases
STARLITE develops high-strength, flexible and long-life compressor seals for dry and wet gas conditions. ALP material grades are selected according to gas composition, pressure, temperature, speed, mating material and required service life.
- Piston rings
- Rider rings
- Rod packing
- Oil draining rings
- Valve plates
- Hydrogen-atmosphere tribology evaluation and joint research
Examples of Extended Service Life
| Compressed Gas | Pressure | Conventional Product | STARLITE ALP Compressor Seal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry hydrogen (96%) | 0.4 → 0.85 MPa | 4,000 h | More than 10,000 h |
| Pure hydrogen | 0.8 → 3.5 MPa | 3,000 h | More than 8,000 h |
| Wet CO₂ | 0.1 → 1.0 MPa | 7,000 h | 16,000 h |
| Wet CO₂ | 0.03 → 0.24 MPa | 7,000 h | 16,000 h |
The values shown are examples from specific applications and are not guaranteed values. Actual service life depends on the equipment and operating conditions. Market-share information is based on STARLITE internal data.
03 / Centrifugal Compressors
Non-Contact Polymer Seals for Centrifugal Compressors
STARLITE offers ALP polymer materials for labyrinth and abradable seals used in geared centrifugal compressors and single-shaft multistage centrifugal compressors. Low thermal expansion helps reduce dimensional variation and supports stable clearance control as temperatures change. ALP K03-406 has a representative coefficient of thermal expansion of 16 ×10⁻⁶/°C over the temperature range of 23–140°C.
- ALP K03-406: 16 ×10⁻⁶/°C at 23–140°C
- Support for smaller-clearance seal designs
- Low aggressiveness toward mating shafts
- Chemical resistance for demanding gas environments
- Labyrinth seal applications
- Abradable seal applications
The coefficient of thermal expansion shown is a representative value and is not guaranteed. Final applicability must be reviewed according to the operating conditions and product geometry.
04 / Cryogenic Insulation Structures
FRP Honeycomb Insulation Structures
Designed for structural components that require both mechanical strength and thermal insulation. The honeycomb structure supports reduced heat loss while remaining lightweight and adaptable to different sizes and designs.
Higher Insulation Performance
Helps reduce heat loss and supports more efficient use of stored cryogenic media.
Lightweight & High Strength
Designed to simplify handling and installation while maintaining structural strength.
No Dedicated Tooling Required
Provides flexibility when reviewing product size and structural design.
Cryogenic Applications
For cryogenic piping supports, tank stands and other load-bearing insulation structures.
Representative Properties and Current Production Sizes
| Item | FRP Honeycomb |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | 0.49 W/m·K |
| Compressive strength, parallel to the layers | 320 MPa |
| Current production size | 100t × 1,000w × 2,000L |
| Current long-length production size | 100t × 500w × 10,000L |
Values and sizes shown are representative. Final specifications depend on the required structure and operating conditions.
STARLITE Core Technology
From Evaluation Results to Material and Design Proposals
STARLITE combines material engineering, component design, manufacturing and in-house evaluation to review polymer solutions for hydrogen, LNG and gas-processing equipment.
Material Engineering
Material grades are reviewed according to temperature, pressure, gas, load, speed, mating material and chemical exposure.
Component Geometry
Clearance, contact pressure, thermal contraction, friction, wear, sealing and assembly requirements are considered together.
Manufacturing & Processing
Molding, machining and composite-structure options are selected to suit the component and required production size.
Validation & Testing
Mechanical properties, friction, wear and gas-sealing performance are evaluated under representative cryogenic and gas conditions.
Meet STARLITE at Gastech 2026
Bring Us Your Cryogenic, Seal or Insulation Challenge
Specifications do not need to be final. Share whatever information is currently available, such as operating temperature, pressure, gas composition, mating material, component dimensions, and performance requirements.
Product specifications and applicability depend on the operating environment and individual equipment conditions. Please contact STARLITE for an application-specific review.