Plastic Deformation Forming of Metallic Bipolar Plate – Part 2: Implementation and Application

Bipolar plate (BPP) is an important component of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and fabrication of micro channels in the ultra-thin metallic sheet with low cost and high efficiency is critical in the mass production of BPPs. In this part, the challenges in BPP production, e.g., the formability prediction, wrinkling prevention and springback controlling, are highlighted and discussed in detail from the aspects of production implementation and application of BPPs in PEMFC. Moreover, the details of metallic BPP fabrication are summarized thoroughly and the state-of-art forming technologies applied in BPP manufacturing are presented. The article provides a panorama of deformation-based manufacturing of BPPs and the basis for detailed development and application of BPPs.