PEM Fuel Cell Metal Plates

Photofabrication can chemically etch bi-polar plates used in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.  Fuel cell development has moved forward a long way in the past few years, Photofabrication work with some of the industries key minds on trialing new designs for seperator plates (conductive plates within a fuel cell stack acting as an anode for one fuel cell and a cathode for adjacent cells.

The benefits of Etched Metal Fuel Cell Pates Include:

• Improved electrical and thermal conductivity over non-metal solutions
• When compared with Graphite, more resistent to mechanical impact
• Ability to vary thickness of plates, optimising space
• Low tooling costs
• Fast delivery
• Smooth surfaces are burr and stress free
• Consistant channel depth when etched
• Flexible design options
• High Accuracy
• Customised parts – you design it – we make it! (Guidelines available)
• Prototype to high volume

A product often associated with Metal Fuel Cell Plates is Heat Exchangers.  These are finely etch either meshes or channelled plates which rely on precision accuracy and innovative design.  Photofabrication have again worked with a number of organisations on the development of heat exchangers and would welcome the opportunity to also work with your selves.

To find out more about the Photo Etching Process please either contact us on 01480 226699, or take “The Process Tour”.