Within the efforts of reducing the costs of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems, FCH JU research project STAMPEM, now completed, has dealt with the development of improved coatings for stainless steel bipolar plates. A very promising coating applied by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) has been identified, allowing for up to 6000 hours of operations thanks to an excellent corrosion protection without negative impact on the other performance properties, namely the interfacial contact resistance towards the gas diffusion layer. The coating has been calculated to allow a considerable cost reduction potential for bipolar plates within fuel cell systems. Figures as high as 90% cost reduction have been put forward for up-scaled operations. 

To find out more about the STAMPEM project, click here.