Technology and R&D

We are committed to exploring unknown materials
and carrying out R&D on cutting-edge technologies
in the pursuit of new value.

Advancing the Development of Differentiated Products That Can Contribute to Mitigating
Global Warming for the Hydrogen Infrastructure and Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

• PILLAR Corporation’s Carbon Neutrality Business

Since our founding in 1924, we have been providing original and high-quality products to a wide range of fields, including semiconductors, energy, chemicals, automobiles, sea vessels, and medical treatment and pharmaceuticals, by leveraging our fluid control and materials technologies, based on our core principles: the environment (CLEAN), safety (SAFETY), and contribution to cutting-edge technologies (FRONTIER). Building upon these technological capabilities, we continue to take on new challenges to help solve social issues and realize a sustainable future.

It is necessary to accommodate an extremely wide range of operating conditions for fluid control of liquid hydrogen and hydrogen gas: from cryogenic temperatures of -253°C to high temperatures of 600°C and from low pressures of several kPaG to high pressures of 100 MPaG. Furthermore, it is essential to take measures to address physical properties unique to hydrogen, such as hydrogen embrittlement. To tackle these challenges, we are focusing on improving sealing performance and advancing the development of products that support the businesses of our customers as they aim to help realize a carbon-neutral society. We pursue various approaches in our R&D efforts. As one example of this, we are aiming to elucidate the unique wear phenomena (tribology) that occur in hydrogen atmospheres through industry-academia collaboration.
By leveraging our know-how and integrating these initiatives, we are successfully developing higher performance and more reliable products.

• Carbon-Neutral Products

PILAFLON™ V-rings, PILAFLON™ HiP seals, spiral wound gaskets,
EDP packings, and PPG dry gas seals

PILAFLON V-rings, EDP packings, PILAFLON HiP seals, spiral wound gaskets and PPG dry gas seals

F919: New Sliding Material for Hydrogen Compressors

  • A material for hydrogen compressors that we created by incorporating phenomena and case studies unique to hydrogen atmospheres into product development
  • An ideal material for seals in hydrogen atmospheres because it offers a low coefficient of thermal expansion and stable friction and wear behavior

Product Features

  • PTFE is a material with outstanding characteristics (high sealing performance and low friction, etc.)
  • Challenges unique to hydrogen atmospheres ⇒ Cannot be used as sealing materials ⇒ Modification using base materials and fillers
Evaluation of the basic physical properties and wear resistance of sliding materials for hydrogen compressors
Item Previous Material
(F Series)		 New Material: F919
Base material PTFE Special PTFE
Filler Special carbon Heat-resistant resin /
graphite powder / carbon fiber
Specific gravity 1.85 1.94
Hardness Durometer D 69 Durometer D 68
Coefficient of
thermal expansion		 Machine direction (MD) 9.4 ×10-5/°C 15.8 ×10-5/°C
Cross direction (CD) 8.0 ×10-5/°C 4.3 ×10-5/°C
Sulfur content Trace amount present None
Specific wear rate 3.9 ×10-6 mm3N·m 2.4 ×10-7 mm3N·m
Piston ring
Piston ring
Rod packings
Rod packings

#4950 Cryogenic Seal Set

  • Maintains clamping force even at low temperatures and offers excellent sealing performance in -253°C environments as well
  • Achieves low torque and zero contamination compared to regular gland packings

Product Features

  • A unique structure that combines PTFE lip seals and expanded graphite packings
  • Sealing force is added through the clamping of the expanded graphite packings and the self-sealing of the lip seals
The proprietary structure of the #4950, combining lip seals, flexible graphite and metal hollow O-rings
Our proprietary structure (patented)
Item #4950
Size rangeNominal inside diameter ≤100
Normal maximum operating pressure5.2 MPa (equivalent to Class 300)
Fluid temperature-253 to 100°C*1
Sliding speedUp to 1.0 m/s
PV valueUp to 1.0 MPaG·m/s*1
Minimum clamping pressure25 N/mm2
 *1. The fluid temperature and PV value are for reference only. These can be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the conditions.
Item Gland Packing #4950 Cryogenic Seal Set
Leakage
(-253°C)		 Leakage of 1 mL/min at cryogenic temperatures (-253°C)
(Fluid: Helium gas at 12.9 MPa)		 No leakage detected
(Fluid: Helium gas at 12.9 MPa)
Appearance
Stuffing box
Photograph of the appearance of the stuffing box

Wear debris present

Stem (sliding area)
Photograph of the appearance of the stem (sliding area)

Major sliding marks
Stuffing box
Photograph of the appearance of the stuffing box

No visible wear debris

Stem (sliding area)
Photograph of the appearance of the stem (sliding area)

Minor sliding marks

• Hydrogen Atmosphere Friction and Wear Testing Machine

In 2022, we established a new organization to develop carbon neutrality into a core pillar of our business and began the full-scale development of new products. We have introduced our proprietary state-of-the-art hydrogen atmosphere friction and wear testing machine. Using this machine, we are striving to improve performance in product (materials) development to elucidate unique wear phenomena (tribology).

Committed to R&D on Unknown Materials
in the Pursuit of New Value

Microscopic analysis technology

Microscopic Analysis Technology

In order to meet the ever more stringent cleanliness requirements associated with the increasing miniaturization of semiconductors, we are building a system capable of performing multifaceted analysis (on both organic and inorganic substances).

3D CAD design

3D CAD Design

We seamlessly perform basic structural analysis and design. This leads to faster product design and proposals.

Test equipment for semiconductor and liquid crystal manufacturing devices

Test Equipment for Semiconductor and Liquid Crystal Manufacturing Devices

To evaluate performance under the harsh operating conditions in the semiconductor fabrication industry, we utilize thermal cycle test equipment capable of cycling between high and low temperatures.

Data collection and analysis test equipment for failure prediction

Data Collection and Analysis Test Equipment for Failure Prediction

This test equipment is used to collect and analyze data on pressure, temperature, torque, vibration, etc. under operating conditions, including failure modes, in order to establish technology for predicting mechanical seal failures.

Low-temperature test equipment for valves

Low-Temperature Test Equipment for Valves

This test equipment is used to collect data on sealing, sliding, stress relaxation, and other characteristics for valve gland packings under low temperature environments (-150 to 0°C). We use this data in the development of gland packings suitable for low temperature environments.

1,000 kN universal testing equipment

1,000 kN Universal Testing Equipment

The device is capable of performing sealing, compression, and tensile tests while precisely controlling the load on products and materials. With 24-hour continuous operation possible, continuous data can be obtained on changes that occur over time.

• Intellectual Property Activities

The PILLAR Group places a strong emphasis on creating value through technological innovation and is committed to protecting and using intellectual properties. With the Innovation Center at Sanda Factory serving as our hub, we are driving technological development and appropriately protecting the intellectual properties arising from the creation of new technologies and products in the electronic equipment-related and industrial equipment-related business fields, while striving to provide added value to our customers.
In addition, we view intellectual property activities as the foundation for sound business operations. Accordingly, we clearly state in our Group Code of Conduct our commitment to acquiring our own intellectual properties while respecting those of other companies and refraining from unauthorized infringement or imitation, thereby raising awareness among our employees.

Number of patents held (Japan and overseas), from the end of March 2021 to the end of March 2025

Statistical Quality Control
Initiatives

Analysis using data analysis software

Analysis Using Data Analysis Software

Measurement results are shared with each production site via our internal network and the results are then analyzed.
Going forward, we will also promote the use of real-time molding conditions to further improve productivity.

High-precision measurement using a coordinate measuring machine and use of data

High-Precision Measurement Using a Coordinate Measuring Machine and Use of Data

We use a coordinate measuring machine to assess the characteristics of major areas that affect the sealing performance of molded parts, provide feedback, and then reflect the results into product quality, including process capacity.

Group Network

To Group Network

Inquiries about Our Products

To Inquiry Form