Finite element analysis of assembly contact pressure in PEM fuel cell

The contact pressure for proton exchange membrane(PEM) fuel cell assembly was critical to the performance of the PEM fuel cell. A 3-dimensional finite element model was built for the PEM fuel cell, including end plates, current collectors, bipolar plates, gaskets, gas diffusion layers(GDLs), membrane electrode assembly(MEA)and bolts. Using finite element method, the contact pressure as well as pressure distribution were studied for the PEM fuel cell applied with various assembly forces. The finite element analysis results show that the contact pressures between GDL and bipolar plate and the GDL and MEA in the PEM fuel cell are increased with the increase of assembly force. It is found that the contact pressure distribution both between GDL and bipolar plate and between GDL and MEA had the good uniformity as the PEM fuel cell was applied with the assembly force of about 3.0 N·m in this study.