Composites Research

The Korean Society for Composite Materials (한국복합재료학회)
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A Study on Precuring Condition of the 2-step Manufacturing Method for PEMFC Composite Bipolar Plates

PEMFC용 복합소재 분리판을 위한 2단계 제조공법의 예비성형 조건에 대한 연구

  • 허성일 (포항공과대학교 기계공학과 대학원) ;
  • 오경석 (포항공과대학교 기계공학과 대학원) ;
  • 장준호 (포항공과대학교 기계공학과 대학원) ;
  • 양유창 (현대자동차 환경기술연구소) ;
  • 한경섭 (포항공과대학교 기계공학과)
  • Published : 2007.04.30
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Abstract

The 2-step manufacturing method consisting of preforming and stamping processes was developed to manufacture composite bipolar plates for PEMFCS. The preform was composed of expanded graphite, graphite flake and phenol resin. Procuring conditions were optimized by checking the electrical conductivity, flexural strength and microstructure. Procuring temperature $(100^{\circ}C)$ slightly above the melting point of phenol powders $(90^{\circ}C)$ induced moderate curing, but also prevented excessive curing. Preforms utilizing the tangled structure of expanded graphite were easily fabricated at low pressure of 0.07-0.28MPa. The proper procuring time, 5min, was determined to fabricate the preform stably because insufficient and excessive procuring deteriorated the flexural strength of composite bipolar plates.

본 연구에서는 고분자 전해질 연료전지(PEMFC)용 복합소재 분리판의 제작을 위해, 예비성형과 스탬핑 공정으로 이루어지는 2단계 제조공법을 개발하고 예비성형 조건이 소재의 물성에 미치는 영향을 고찰하였다. 예비성형체는 팽창흑연, 흑연분말, 페놀수지를 이용하여 제조되었으며, 예비성형 공정은 전기 전도도, 굽힘 강도와 미세 구조의 분석을 통해 최적화되었다. 예비성형은 페놀수지의 지나친 경화를 막기 위해 페놀 분말의 녹는점인 $90^{\circ}C$보다 약간 높은 $100^{\circ}C$에서 이루어졌다. 본 연구에서 개발된 예비성형체는 팽창흑연의 서로 잘 얽히는 성질로 인해 0.07-0.28MPa의 낮은 압력에서도 쉽게 제조되었다. 부족하거나 과도한 예비경화는 복합소재 분리판의 강도 저하를 야기하기 때문에, 예비성형체를 안정적으로 제조하기 위한 예비성형 시간은 5분으로 결정되었다.

Keywords

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