Interfacial Contact Resistance (Icr) Test Station
Interfacial contact resistance (ICR) is one of the most important test for the successful implementation of stainless flow plates in PEM fuel cells. We have developed a reliable method, using gold plated electrodes, to measure the ICR between the Bipolar Plate (BPP) material and the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) during fuel cell operation. The ICR values measured and graphs displayed give technical overview of the components behaviour once mounted and operated in the PEM stack.
The station is part of the different steps of control in the production line of the Fuel Cells components and it can be used for both experimental and production purposes.
The part to be tested is a package composed by no.1 BPP and no.2 sheets of GDL which can be assembled by the operator directly in the machine. After the assembly, the package is gradually compressed with a load from 0 to 40 kN while the contact resistance is measured through a resistance meter for ultra-low and low shunt resistance.
The station is basically made by a stainless steel frame over which each machine elements are assembled.
An electric press with recirculation ball screw, having a maximum force of 40 kN and a maximum stroke of 200 mm, is mounted over a support frame on top: this allows the operator to load samples manually always at the same height. The measurement of the force is done by means of a load cell, positioned on the upper plate of the fixture.
The support structure is specifically designed for the application, comprising two plates which ensure the mounting of the test fixture. The base plate is fixed to the support frame, while the top plate, over which the press is mounted, slides along four columns and can be adjusted to set the desired homing position.
The test fixture is designed to ensure the integrity and the proper positioning of the BPP and GDLs under test.
The test fixture includes a couple of gold plated copper electrodes, with the same size of GDL, which guarantee the electrical contact for the ICR measurement of the components.
A Nano-voltmeter with one current source measures the electrical resistance and all data are managed and collected by an Industrial PC equipped by a 18,5” HMI touch colour screen.
An electric control cabinet integrated in the machine completes the machine configuration.
The machine is provided by CE mark, according to the European norms.
- Simulation of the ICR measurement of components in the same assembly condition and operating mode of the stack.
- Reliable detection of resistance performance to check the quality and the performance of the components production.
- Possibility of intervention to change the production process and save costs due to possible loss of performance of the stack assembly.
- Experience gained in a significantly increasing new market segment to support other customers in the development of similar projects.
| Test current | 1 A |
| Resistance measurement range | 1 μΩ up to 1000 Ω |
| Resolution of low resistance meter | up to 10 nΩ |
| Testing time | 1 min |
| Manual loading/unloading |