AVCarb – Carbon and Graphite Electrodes

AvCarb® Material Solutions (Lowell, MA, USA) is one of the leading manufacturers of carbon-based electrode materials for electrochemical systems. Redox-Flow stocks a curated range of AvCarb carbon papers, gas diffusion layers and graphite felts in Denmark and cuts them to the size you need – so you get the right material in the right size within days, without customs paperwork or minimum order quantities.

Every piece is cut with precision tooling from certified AvCarb sheets and rolls. The standard sizes match our cell platforms: 2.5 × 2.5 cm and 5.0 × 5.0 cm fit the active area of the A-cell, S-cell, M-cell and X-cell, and 19.5 × 29.5 cm sheets serve larger cells, stacks and your own cutting. Other sizes and shapes – 10 × 10 cm, 40 × 40 cm, discs, inserts for 100 cm² cells, with or without holes – are available on request through the inquiry form below.

Which material for which application?

Activated graphite felt – G series

Needle-punched PAN felt, heat-treated to graphite and then activated by AvCarb to promote wettability and increase the number of active surface sites. Every lot is certified for electrochemical performance in the wet state. The felt is ready to use – no thermal pre-treatment is needed on your side.

AvCarb G280A – 2.8 mm nominal thickness (uncompressed), 207 g/m², 0.075 g/cm³. Our standard felt for 2.5 × 2.5 cm and 5 × 5 cm flow cells with 2–3 mm compartments.

AvCarb G475A – 4.5 mm nominal thickness (uncompressed), 448 g/m², 0.10 g/cm³. For deeper compartments or higher compression ratios.

Carbon paper – MGL series (Molded Graphite Laminates)

Uniformly molded, rigid graphite sheets made from PAN non-woven web, resin-impregnated, molded to thickness and graphitised at 2,000–3,000 °C. The MGL papers have no PTFE treatment and no microporous layer; they are hydrophilic and electrically conductive through the full thickness, which is what flow-battery and electrolyser-cathode applications need. For optimal flow-battery performance we recommend a thermal activation in air before use.

AvCarb MGL190 – 0.19 mm, 0.45 g/cm³, 78 % porosity, 6.0 mΩ·cm² through-plane resistivity at 1 MPa. The thinnest grade: PEM-electrolyser cathode PTL, thin gas diffusion electrode substrate and zero-gap flow cells.

AvCarb MGL370 – 0.37 mm, 0.43 g/cm³, 78 % porosity, 7.8 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa. The general-purpose paper electrode.

AvCarb MGL1500 – 1.5 mm, 0.72 g/cm³, 71 % porosity, 13.8 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa.

AvCarb MGL2000 – 2.0 mm, 0.72 g/cm³, 70 % porosity, 14.1 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa.

AvCarb MGL2400 – 2.4 mm, 0.72 g/cm³, 68 % porosity, 14.5 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa. Thick, rigid paper electrode that fills a 2–3 mm compartment without the compression behaviour of felt.

Gas diffusion layers with microporous layer – GDS series

Hydrophobically treated (PTFE) AvCarb carbon paper with a surface-coated microporous layer (MPL) on one side. Developed as gas diffusion layers for fuel cells, and widely used as gas diffusion electrode substrates in CO₂ electrolysis, AEM electrolysis and electrosynthesis research. The MPL side is the smooth, matt-black side; it must face the catalyst layer or membrane.

AvCarb GDS2185 – P75 base paper, 269 µm at 5 N/cm², 155 g/m², ≤ 33 mΩ·cm² through-plane resistance at 1 MPa, smooth MPL, ≤ 10 ppm metallic impurities. Designed for dry or self-humidified systems – the thickest, least diffusive grade, which retains water.

AvCarb GDS3250 – EP40 base paper, 225 µm at 5 N/cm², 75 g/m², 0.32 g/cm³, < 14 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa. Medium thickness and medium diffusivity – the all-round GDL for cathode or anode at current densities above 1 A/cm².

AvCarb MB-30 – EP40 base paper, 205 µm at 5 N/cm², 55 g/m², 0.27 g/cm³, < 12 mΩ·cm² at 1 MPa. The thinnest and most open GDL in the range, for high current density and high diffusivity.

Sizes and packaging

• 2.5 × 2.5 cm – active area of the A-cell, S-cell and M-cell and of the X-cell with the matching gasket.
• 5.0 × 5.0 cm – active area of the X-cell and X-stack.
• 19.5 × 29.5 cm sheet – for larger cells, stacks and cutting your own pieces.
• Packages of 1, 2 or 8 pieces (sheets: 1 or 2).
• Custom sizes and shapes on request – usually shipped within a few working days from stock.
• Felt is supplied uncompressed; design the compartment for a defined compression, see the assembly manual of your cell.
• GDS pieces: handle by the edges and keep the MPL surface clean.

Why buy AvCarb from Redox-Flow

• In stock in Denmark – delivery in 1–3 working days inside the EU, no customs and no import VAT handling.
• Precision cut to your cell – no waste and no hand-cutting of expensive sheets.
• Same materials, grades and activation as in our cell kits and assembly manuals, so your results transfer directly.
• Support from an electrochemistry team: tell us the chemistry and the cell, and we recommend the grade, the size and the compression.