Investigating the Integration of Nonwoven Carbon Fibers for Mechanical Enhancement in Compression Molded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bipolar Plates

The demand for polymer composite solutions in bipolar plates electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has risen due to advantages over metal such as longer lifetime, weight reduction, corrosion resistance, flexible manufacturing, freedom of design, and cost-effectiveness. challenge with composites is achieving both sufficient electrical conductivity mechanical stability high filler content. A carbon fiber fleece reinforcement a graphite-filled polypropylene (PP) matrix was investigated use plate material increased conductive properties. Plates thickness 1 mm containing four layers impregnated the PP-graphite compound were produced compression molding process. Particle interactions via microscopy. characterized respect stability. High electric reached fiber-reinforced plain plates, content leading higher conductivity. contact resistance remained largely unaffected by surface etching no polymeric skin layer formed during molding. Fiber-reinforced exhibit twice tensile strength, significantly modulus, an elongation at break, compared PP filled only graphite.