Product Specification

Etched Bipolar Plate for PEM Electrolyzer & Fuel Cell Stainless Steel

Product Overview

Xinhaisen manufactures high-precision etched bipolar plates for hydrogen fuel cells and PEM electrolyzers using advanced photo chemical etching technology. Compared with conventional machining, chemical etching enables burr-free micro flow channels, high dimensional accuracy, and excellent repeatability without introducing mechanical stress.

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.

  ✔ High Precision Chemical Etching

  ✔ Burr-Free Micro Flow Channels

  ✔ Excellent Flatness

  ✔ No Mechanical Stress

  ✔ Tight Tolerance

  ✔ 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

  SOEC Systems

  Hydrogen Production

  Hydrogen Storage Systems

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!