EFFECT OF pH ON CORROSION OF SINTERED STAINLESS STEELS USED FOR BIPOLAR PLATES IN POLYMER EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS

摘要

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are numbered among low-temperature cells. Their operating temperature reaches 120°C, whereas their efficiency amounts to ca. 40%. These cells are most often used for the batteries for portable devices, low and high power generators, stationary power plants and car drives. The PEMFCs arc composed of the membrane, electrodes at both sides and bipolar plates, also termed interconnectors. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the sintered stainless steels in simulated environments of a PEM fuel cells for bipolar plates. The ferritic (434L) and austenitic (316L) stainless steels were examined. The corrosion properties were examined in 0.1 mol dm~(-3) Na_2SO_4+ 2 ppmF~- (pH= 1; 3; 5) at 80°C.