Development of low cost end plates for PEM fuel cells and electrolysis cells

Most of the fuel cells there is to find on the marked has a good capacity and durability but they have not jet been developed for mass production. The purpose of the project was to automate the production of endplates for the PEM fuel cell by choosing cheap materials and production methods. The starting idea was to use fibre-strengthening plastic but unfortunately the material was too soft. The relative high temperatures, the material is exposed to, simply made it soft. Instead it was decided to go with fibre-strengthening high strength concrete which can be cast and harden by heating in an oven. Products were produced and tested so the results could be used on a number of simulations’ and furthermore the way the endplates was fastened was changed. After a number of good test results the finale plates was send to IRD Fuel Cells for further testing. Status quo is that the plates has been mounted with success and will be tested in the nearest future. Concrete has the advantage that it does not go out of shape in time which is very important for the working matter of the fuel cells. Concrete is a cheaper material then the high – end plastic but the moulding process can be optimized for further cost reduction.  (Forskning i Bioenergi, Brint og Brændselsceller, nr. 42, december 2012).