Modeling the original and cyclic compression behavior of non-woven gas diffusion layers for fuel cells

It is established that the compression behavior of gas diffusion layers (GDL) dependent on level mechanical stress it experienced during its lifetime. As a matter fact, every cycle induces damages in GDL, including fibers breakage and/or their spatial reorganization. observed experimental work, first GDLs as received from suppliers already altered by previous applied manufacturing process. This paper then presents model able to predict cyclic considering existence this compressive The properties three main types non-woven GDL (rolls, sheets and felts) were measured predicted using proposed model, thereby allowing separate influences process, type fibers, presence micro-porous layer hydrophobic treatment GDL.