Optimum design of the carbon composite bipolar plate (BP) for the open cathode of an air breathing PEMFC

To enhance the durability of the BP against the compaction pressure, the finite element analysis, the compressive test and the fracture toughness test were performed. The maximum compaction pressure on the BP was calculated by applying the maximum strain failure criterion to the composite BP. Then, the optimum thickness and stacking sequence of the open cathode bipolar plate were determined by considering the mass and the maximum compaction pressure.