Product Specification

Etched Bipolar Plate Precision Metal Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells

Product Overview

Our Metal Bipolar Plates are precision manufactured using advanced Photo Chemical Etching (PCM) technology, delivering exceptional dimensional accuracy, clean edges, and intricate flow field patterns. Designed for PEM fuel cells, PEM electrolyzers, and other hydrogen energy systems, our bipolar plates provide efficient gas distribution, superior electrical conductivity, and excellent corrosion resistance.

Xinhaisen manufactures custom precision etched bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells and hydrogen electrolyzers. We provide stainless steel, titanium and nickel bipolar plates with fine flow field patterns, high dimensional accuracy and burr-free edges for fuel cell stack applications.

What is Chemical Etching?

Chemical etching (also known as photochemical machining) is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses chemical solutions to dissolve metal precisely. Unlike traditional stamping or machining, etching creates burr-free, stress-free plates without mechanical force. This allows for complex micro-flow channel designs, tight tolerances, and rapid prototyping, making it ideal for the intricate structures required in bipolar plates.

Product Features

• High Precision: Achieve micro-channel widths as fine as 0.015mm and uniform flow field depths with an accuracy of ±0.03mm.

• Burr-Free & Stress-Free: Unlike mechanical punching, our process leaves no burrs or micro-cracks, ensuring the longevity and safety of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

• Ultra-Thin Capabilities: Process metals as thin as 0.5mm, enabling lighter stacks and higher power density.

• Complex Geometries: Capable of producing intricate flow field patterns (e.g., serpentine, parallel, pin-type) to suit specific gas diffusion requirements.

• Material Versatility: Compatible with various metals including stainless steel (304, 316L), titanium, and other corrosion-resistant alloys.

• Consistency: High-volume repeatability ensures that every plate in your stack performs identically. 

• • Precision chemical etching
  • Burr-free flow channels
  • No tooling cost
  • Fast prototype production
  • High dimensional accuracy
  • Complex flow field patterns

Product Specifications

Note: Custom specifications are available upon request.

Our Advantages

• Rapid Turnaround: With an efficient production setup, we handle urgent orders and large-volume demands without compromising quality.

• Cost Efficiency: Our chemical etching process eliminates high tooling costs (no expensive hard tooling required), making it cost-effective for both prototyping and mass production.

• Expertise in Thin Metals: Specializing in thicknesses down to 0.5mm, we offer solutions for lightweight stack designs that maximize energy density.

• Quality Assurance: We ensure high uniformity across thousands of pieces, critical for stable stack performance.

Applications

Bipolar plates manufactured by Xinhaisen are suitable for:

• Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC): Used in automotive (cars, trucks), drones, and stationary power systems.

• Water Electrolyzers: For green hydrogen production.

• Portable Power Systems: Compact, high-efficiency energy devices.

• Aerospace & Aviation: Lightweight components for air mobility.

  • • PEM Fuel Cells
    • PEM Electrolyzers
    • Hydrogen Production Systems
    • Fuel Cell Vehicles
    • Stationary Power Systems
    • UAV Fuel Cell Systems
    • Portable Fuel Cells
    • Marine Fuel Cells
    • Hydrogen Energy Equipment

  
  

FAQ

• Q: What materials do you recommend for bipolar plates?
  A: We typically recommend Stainless Steel (316L) for its excellent corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness, or Titanium for applications requiring higher strength-to-weight ratios.
• Q: Can you achieve the tight tolerances required for sealing?
  A: Yes. Our etching process maintains a uniformity of ±0.01mm, ensuring that the plates mate perfectly with gaskets to prevent gas leakage.
• Q: Do you charge high tooling fees for custom designs?
  A: No. One of the major benefits of chemical etching is the low tooling cost. We use digital tooling, allowing us to adjust flow field designs quickly without expensive physical molds.
• Q: What is the lead time for a prototype?
  A: Typically, prototypes can be delivered within 5 to 7 days after design confirmation.
• Q: Can you handle large-scale production?
  A: Absolutely. We are equipped to handle massive, high-volume orders while maintaining strict consistency across all plates.

Welcome to contact us at any time!