Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-27-2006
Publication Title
Journal of Power Sources
Abstract
The mechanical response of fuel cell proton exchange membranes subjected to a single hygro-thermal duty cycle in a fuel cell assembly is investigated through numerical means. To this end, the behavior of the membrane with temperature and humidity dependent material properties is simulated under temperature and humidity loading and unloading conditions. The stress-evolution during a simplified operating cycle is determined using finite element analysis for two clamping methods and two alignments of the bipolar plates. It is shown that compressive, plastic deformation occurs during the hygro-thermal loading, resulting in tensile residual stresses after unloading. These residual in-plane stresses in the membrane may explain the occurrence of cracks and pinholes in the membrane under cyclic loading.
Recommended Citation
Kusoglu, A., Karlsson, A. M., Santare, M. H., 2006, "Mechanical Response of Fuel Cell Membranes Subjected to a Hygro-Thermal Cycle," Journal of Power Sources, 161(2), pp. 987-996.
DOI
10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.05.020
Version
Postprint
Publisher's Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Power Sources. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Power Sources, 161, 2, (10-27-2006); 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.05.020
Volume
161
Issue
2
Comments
This research has been supported by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and the State of Delaware through the Clean Energy Partnership.