A mathematical model for predicting the life of polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes subjected to hydration cycling

► A novel modeling framework to predict the PEMFC membrane lifetime. ► Membrane lifetime as a function of RH cycling amplitude and membrane mechanical properties. ► Very good agreement with the experiments. ► Membrane failure in the fuel cell is caused by damage accumulation under cyclic stress in the membrane. ► Tensile stress causes a crack formation at RH cycled side of the membrane.