Factors affecting corrosion behavior of SS316L as bipolar plate material in PEMFC cathode environments

An empirical corrosion model for SS316L in simulated proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environments is developed based on systematic experimental data on the effects of various factors, such as acidity, fluoride ion concentration, temperature and polarization potential. Correlation parameters under different conditions are provided in tabulated forms and comparisons of the empirical model with experimental results are shown in graphical forms. The results show that the empirical model agrees very well with the experimental data except at the short initial polarization time and the model is applicable up to a polarization potential of 0.7 V. The results also show that polarization potential is the most sensitive parameter among all the parameters studied.

► The factors affecting corrosion behavior of SS316L are studied systematically.
► An empirical corrosion model for SS316L in PEMFC environments is proposed.
► The polarization potential is the most sensitive parameter.