Abstract
In this study, rubber pad forming is employed for the cost-effective production of metallic bipolar plates. To this end, a punch with parallel serpentine flow field patterns and a rubber layer is used to form SS316 bipolar plates with a thickness of 0.1 mm. The influence of forming force and rubber hardness on the channel depth of the bipolar plates is investigated. Results show a direct relationship between the channel depth and the applied force. The maximum channel depth is decreased by increasing the hardness of the rubber. However, a remarkable reduction in the rubber hardness reduces the system’s performance in supplying the pressure required for forming microchannels and results in an unformed bipolar plate. Thus, to achieve a greater channel depth, the applied force and the rubber hardness should be increased accordingly.
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Talebi-Ghadikolaee, H., Elyasi, M., Shahgaldi, S., Seddighi, S., Kasaei, M.M., da Silva, L.F.M. (2023). The Effect of Rubber Hardness on the Channel Depth of the Metallic Bipolar Plates Fabricated by Rubber Pad Forming. In: da Silva, L.F.M. (eds) Materials Design and Applications IV. Advanced Structured Materials, vol 168. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18130-6_9
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