Challenges during the welding of electrically and thermally conductive plastic compounds for utilisation in fuel cells, redox flow batteries and heat exchangers

摘要

For some years, it has been possible to find plastics in applications such as fuel cell, redox flow battery and heat exchanger systems. In addition to the development of special plastic compounds, joining technology is playing a key role on the path to the subsequent series application. However, the welding behaviour of conductive plastic compounds with high filler contents has not yet been investigated sufficiently in order to implement a reliable joint between semi-finished products made of these materials. Depending on the application, the compounds may exhibit graphite contents of up to 80% (mass fraction). Already because of the high filler proportions, this entails a challenge during welding. Furthermore, the thermal material properties deviate considerably from those of plastics without any fillers or with low filler contents.