The Effect of Rubber Hardness on the Channel Depth of the Metallic Bipolar Plates Fabricated by Rubber Pad Forming

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.