50 sq cm fuel cell investigation fixture convention. This video shows the setting up of a custom buit 50 sq cm PEM fuel cell check up on fixture

Bipolar plates (BPP) constitute about 25% of the set someone back of state-of-the-art PEM fuel cells. More cost-effectual materials and production technologies are urgently needed to develop b publish down the plate cost. Furthermore, it is a vital trend in PEM fuel cell development to raise the fuel cell temperature from the distribute 80 0C to 120 – 150 0C which is improving the CO sufferance of the cell (less sensitive to catalysts poisoning) and fever removal from the stack (especially high-ranking for the automotive application). Some companies are bringing H2PO4 doped PBI boisterous temperature membranes into the market. However, well-known BPP materials are not stable at the operation temperature of these membranes.

The invention is a graphite epoxy amalgam based on a low viscosity epoxy resin, agitation activated latent metal amine complex hardener and ripe loading (70-80 vol- %) of graphite filler. The composite can be compression moulded into a PEM fuel cell composite bipolar layer with a short cycle time of 30 to 300 s depending on the panel size and design.

Due to the very latent simplicity of the mixed graphite epoxy composite, it can be stored for extended periods in cubicle quarters temperature conditions. Also, this extended pot-individual allows various rapid techniques for pre-compacting and degassing of the preform billets before compression moulding into unabridged bipolar plates.

Only few companies are oblation graphite composite bipolar plates for the fuel cell vigour. The production volumes are still low and the prices last high due to lack of competition. The employment is even worse in the case of high temperature PEM fuel cells operating around 150 0C. The realm of possibilities of qualified material suppliers is even more predetermined and machined graphite plates are commonly reach-me-down.

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