Bipolar plates of low contact resistance coated stainless steel for fuel cells

摘要

Bipolar plate for reducing an electrical contact resistance between the plate and a diffusion layer, which are used in a fuel cell. The opposite surfaces of the plate define flow channels with upstanding webs through which these pass. The webs of the plate form an electrically conductive contact with a diffusion layer in the fuel cell. At least a portion of the electrically conductive contact is made of a nickel-based alloy that reduces the contact resistance between the plate and the diffusion layer as a way to achieve improved electrical current density. In one form the alloy can be used as the primary material in the plate while in another it can be used as a coating deposited on a conventional stainless steel plate.