A bipolar plate for fuel cells is a vital component of a fuel cell stack. It distributes the heat and fuel evenly. Basically, engineers design these plates to manage heat, water, and conduct electricity from one cell to another.
Without it, fuel cells cannot operate efficiently. These plates are produced from graphite, coated metals, or composite materials. Different manufacturers use different types of material inside these plates. Furthermore, their manufacturing process also varies. So, the selection of the right supplier ensures project success.
Read the article to explore details about the top 5 best fuel cell bipolar plate manufacturers, their specifications, costs, and more.
Why Choosing the Right Bipolar Plate Manufacturer Matters?
The selection of the wrong fuel cell bipolar plate suppliers can create serious issues for your project. A plate made of poor-quality material may have weak conductivity. Sometimes, the plates have uneven flow channels, which can lead to performance loss.
In vehicles, this reduced system efficiency. Another risk is the durability of engine components. The poor quality materials can cause corrosion. This shortens the lifespan of the fuel cell and raises replacement expenses.
A manufacturer with limited expertise can delay production. So, select the right supplier and save yourself from all these problems.
5 Best Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate Manufacturers You Can Trust
The fuel cell bipolar plates ensure even electricity conductivity between fuel cells. These plates act as a structural support for the fuel cell stack. So, your engine saves on gas leakage. To avail all these benefits, you need to select the supplier that delivers quality plates. Here are the top 5 fuel cell bipolar plate manufacturers.
- TMNetch
TMNetch is a global leader in manufacturing bipolar plates. The company gained a reputation due to its innovative design, product reliability, and durability.
Basically, they offer fast prototyping, photochemical etching, mesh filters,and metal polishing services. Today, TMNetch focuses on fuel cell bipolar plates for PEM stacks. Their plates use engineered resin with conductive fillers. So, you can enhance your engine’s electric conductivity.
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Their components’ production depends on a closed-mold compression system. They offer medium-volume production with design support. Their main products are molded composite plates, coated composite plates, and assembled plate stacks. They hold ISO 9001 and run fuel cell performance tests.
However, the fuel cell bipolar plate manufacturer has some limits on unit cost and tooling lead time.
| Spec | Detail |
| Material | Resin–graphite composite |
| Thickness | 0.3 – 1.5 mm |
| Flatness | <1.5 mm across the full plate |
| Surface Finish | Smooth composite finish |
Ballard Power Systems
Ballard began in Canada and became a global fuel cell leader. The company built credibility through long field deployments. Their engineers are trained to make metallic and graphite bipolar plates. They target heavy-duty PEM systems for backup power.
Their fuel cell plate manufacturer’s process uses precision stamping, coating, and CNC finishing. So, your engine components meet tight dimensional specs.
Other key products they offer are coated steel plates, graphite plates, and integrated plate assemblies. Corrosion and thermal resistance are the great benefits of their plates. However, they have a limitation on managing bulk orders. Sometimes, their team takes a long process and charges more.
| Feature | Detail |
| Material | Coated stainless steel; graphite |
| Thickness | 0.1 – 1.0 mm (metal), 0.5 – 2.0 mm (graphite) |
| Flatness | <1.0 mm tolerance for auto-grade stacks |
| Surface Finish | Coated surfaces to prevent corrosion |
SGL Carbon
SGL Carbon is a global graphite specialist with decades of experience. The company serves aerospace, energy, and automotive markets. SGL focuses on high-purity graphite bipolar plates for PEM and PAFC cells.
The fuel cell bipolar plate manufacturer team of this company uses precision milling, heat treatment, and strict QC. They supply prototype machining and high-volume plate production. The solid graphite, coated graphite, and finished plate are their main products.
The 16949 and ISO 9001 certificates built a reputation. However, they use a heavier mass. The final product is less appealing for ultra-light vehicle applications.
| Feature | Detail |
| Material | High-purity graphite |
| Thickness | 1.0 – 2.0 mm |
| Flatness | <2.0 mm across large plates |
| Surface Finish | Natural graphite finish |
3M
3M is the trusted brand because of its product safety, reliability, and performance. They are known for robust coatings and surface engineering.
Their production uses PVD and proprietary layering to improve corrosion resistance. 3M partners with metal fabricators for coated plates and plate assemblies at scale. Main products include coated stainless steel plates and ready-to-assemble plate packs.
All their hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plates are stress-free and have low contact resistance. So, you can use these plates for a long time in different industries. Due to strong corrosion protection, you are free from worry about replacement.
However, they have fewer bespoke geometry options compared to TMNetch. So, offer a general design that does not meet the new advanced plates pattern.
| Spec | Detail |
| Material | Stainless steel with advanced coatings |
| Thickness | 0.1 – 0.8 mm |
| Flatness | <1.0 mm after the coating process |
| Surface Finish | PVD / nano-layer corrosion-resistant coating |
Freudenberg
Freudenberg is a long-standing German engineering group. The firm is trusted for seals, materials, and system parts across industries. They expanded into fuel cell supply with a focus on system fit.
Their main focus is to make metallic bipolar plates and complete plate assemblies for PEM stacks. Engineers of this company use surface treatment to achieve tight tolerances. They support custom designs and volume manufacturing for OEMs.
Alt Text: Freudenberg — Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate Manufacturer
They also offer stainless steel plates, coated plates, and integrated plate packs. These plates are designed to balance and distribute hydrogen. But this company does not have a proper product testing system.
| Spec | Detail |
| Material | Stainless steel, coated steel |
| Thickness | 0.1 – 1.2 mm |
| Flatness | <1.2 mm for assembled plates |
| Channel Design | Stamped and formed flow fields |
Which Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate Manufacturer is Best for You?
The selection of a fuel cell bipolar plate manufacturer depends on your project’s complexity. If your design requires advanced coatings, durability, and a long lifespan, you will likely need to spend more. Projects with large production volumes also demand strong supply chains. It usually comes at a premium price.
On the other hand, early-stage prototypes may focus on flexibility and cost-efficiency. So, all these factors matter a lot. Furthermore, you have to balance your cost plates’ performance. TMNetch provides an effective solution to make high-quality fuel places.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the operating temperature of a fuel cell?
The operating temperature of a fuel cell depends on the thickness of the plates and the material. Typically, 25-75°C is the lowest temperature used by most manufacturers. However, for thick material, the bipolar plates require a high temperature of 600-1000°C.
What is the only waste product of a fuel cell?
The water vapor is the only and primary waste product of the hydrogen fuel cell. The heat is also generated during this process and included in the by-products. Water is the only direct emission when hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity.
