Standardized testing framework for quality control of fuel cell bipolar plates

Since proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are at the early stages of industrialization, effective manufacturing processes need to be implemented to reduce the costs. A major component of manufacturing processes is the product quality control. Developing product specifications and adopting standard practices and test methods are the basic requirements for quality control. The goal of this article is to establish standard specifications and test methods for quality control of bipolar plates, the second most complex and expensive part of a fuel cell stack. This work identifies and classifies the important bipolar plate properties based on their functions in the fuel cell stack. It reviews the published work on current and past test methods for determination of bipolar plate properties, and pinpoints the gaps. The standard guides, practices and test methods potentially able to fill the gaps and provide a common ground for defining and measuring the bipolar plate properties are identified and explored. We found that the current test methods used for determining the electrical contact resistance and its stability may not be repeatable and reproducible. Adopting the standards developed to determine the resistance of static electrical connections along with those to determine environmental degradation of materials can address this critical issue.

Automated summary

The goal of the article is to establish standard specifications and test methods for quality control of bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells. By identifying and classifying important bipolar plate properties and reviewing current and past test methods, the article aims to close the gaps and provide a common ground for defining and measuring bipolar plate properties.