Investigating the Integration of Nonwoven Carbon Fibers for Mechanical Enhancement in Compression Molded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bipolar Plates.

The demand for polymer composite solutions in bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has risen due to advantages over metal plates such as longer lifetime, weight reduction, corrosion resistance, flexible manufacturing, freedom of design, and cost-effectiveness. The challenge with polymer composites is achieving both sufficient electrical conductivity and mechanical stability with high filler content. A carbon fiber fleece as reinforcement in a graphite-filled polypropylene (PP) matrix was investigated for use as bipolar plate material with increased mechanical and sufficient conductive properties.

Biaxial Elongation Behavior in Partially Molted State of Two-Layer Sheets Containing Postconsumer Material.

Due to the lack of raw material and forced by political demand, an increasing percentage of postconsumer materials (PCR) shall be used in all processing methods in polymer technology. Thermoforming, as one of the oldest polymer-processing methods, has special requirements regarding the melt stability at high temperatures. Low melt stability affects the thermoforming in a negative manner, as the low stiffness leads the sheet to sag during the heating phase.

Two Layer Sheets for Processing Post-Consumer Materials.

An increasing percentage of post-consumer materials (PCR) is becoming more and more important in all processing methods in polymer technology, also due to the lack of raw materials and political demands. Very special requirements are placed on material properties such as viscosities in extrusion. Low viscosities and the presence of particles affect extrusion in a negative manner.