Investigation of high potential corrosion protection with titanium carbonitride coating on 316L stainless steel bipolar plates

In order to improve the durability of stainless steel bipolar plates at high potential during the start-up/shut-down process of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), TiN and TiCN coatings with different C element contents are deposited on the 316L stainless steel substrates by using Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputter Ion Plating. The electrochemical test results show that the TiCN-2sccm sample possesses excellent corrosion resistance compared to other samples. The results of interfacial contact resistance (ICR) measurements show that the minimum ICR value of the TiCN-2sccm sample is 10 m omega cm(2), which meets the Department of Energy targets.

Automated summary

Depositing TiN and TiCN coatings on stainless steel substrates using Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputter Ion Plating can improve the durability and corrosion resistance of stainless steel bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells at high potential, meeting the Department of Energy targets for interfacial contact resistance.