Study on the Materials and Forming Process for Bipolar Plates of PEMFC

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has some advantages, such as high efficiency, eco-friendly virtue, high energy density, fast startup and so on, so it develops a wide prospect application. The bipolar plates are one of the key components for PEMFC which possess the functions of providing the channel for reaction gas, collecting current, conducting heat of reaction. At present, the cost of bipolar plate accounts for about 30%-45% of the stack cost. Therefore, the most critical factor that decides the industrialization of PEMFC is the cost reduction. In this paper, first an introduction several main materials of the metallic bipolar plate. Then a presentation of the developing forming processes of the metallic bipolar plate and the extent problems, as well as the study status of the bipolar plate at home and abroad. At last, a prospect for the future research development direction of the bipolar plate.