A Finite Element Method Study of Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell End Plate Materials by Using Arcan Specimen

Abstract

In the current days, fuel cells are more preferred to generate electricity due to their positive sides. Because, if they use hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, they only produce electricity, heat, and water. This property of fuel cells is significant because of preventing environmental and chemical pollution so, they contribute to the environment positively. In addition, they have more positive points such as no moving or rotating parts. Therefore, they are no required for mechanical maintenance and not make noise. Besides, they can be used used in a wide range of areas as mobile and stationary power sources for electricity generation. There are many fuel cell types but, proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is more common than the other fuel cell types. It consists of parts such as an endplate, bipolar flow plate, gas diffusion layer, catalyst layer, and membrane. End plates are located on the outer side of PEMFC and hold together its stacks. In the design of the endplates, the state of fracture energy should be considered in the different loading conditions. Because the material may fail if it is designed only by the strength of materials concepts. This paper investigated pure mode I, pure mode II and mixed mode fracture energy behavior of different materials numerically by using Arcan specimen.