IKV Press releases

PRESS RELEASE
Flexible, joinable bipolar plates
Compound development at IKV: Combining flexibility with high electrical conductivity
Aachen, July 2016 – The Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and the Skilled
Crafts at RWTH Aachen University is carrying out research into a new approach for the
production of graphite-filled polypropylene compounds. The aim is to improve the mechanical
properties of the compound compared with commercially available materials while
maintaining the same electrical conductivity.
For this, a blend of polypropylene and elastomer was first produced in order to increase the
elasticity of the matrix material. A mixture of selected, electrically conductive graphitic fillers
was then incorporated. Efforts were made to keep the filler content as low as possible while
still ensuring the necessary electrical conductivity for the particular application. The potential
usability of the new materials is demonstrated by producing bipolar plates for fuel cells.
Together with various project partners, IKV is developing a process in which the conductive
part of the bipolar plate is compression moulded from the highly filled compounds, then
overmoulded by injection moulding, and finally joined to form a composite part. It is important
here that the bipolar plates are welded to one other securely enough to ensure that they are
gas-tight, and also that process reliability and high efficiency are ensured. The necessary
joining technology is being systematically developed at IKV. The composite material is
subsequently tested in the fuel cell under conditions likely to be encountered in practice.
The newly developed, highly filled thermoplastic compound has considerable advantages
over the currently used materials because of its reduced brittleness. A higher service life in
the fuel cell and lower reject rates can also be achieved.
This joint project is financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
(BMBF) over a period of two years. The other partners involved are Allod Werkstoff,
Burgbernheim, Calorplast Wärmetechnik, Krefeld, Eisenhuth, Osterode am Harz, Kessen
Maschinenbau, Essen bei Oldenburg, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden, and
Protech in Pfullingen.
www.ikv-aachen.de
About IKV
IKV, the Institute of Plastics Processing at RWTH Aachen University, is Europe-wide the leading research and
education institute engaged in the field of plastics processing enjoying outstanding reputation. More than 300 staff
are employed in finding solutions to problems connected with processing, materials technology and part design in
the plastics and rubber industries. IKV's close contacts with industry and science, together with its outstanding
facilities, enable cutting-edge research in plastics technology and ensure that students benefit from a
comprehensive, practically oriented course of study. Plastics engineering graduates from IKV are thus soughtafter experts in industry. In organisational terms, IKV is divided up into the four specialist departments of Injection
Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV) in Industrie und Handwerk an der RWTH Aachen  Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann
Seffenter Weg 201  52074 Aachen  Germany  Telefon +49 241 80-93806  Telefax +49 241 80-92262
E-Mail: [email protected]  www.ikv-aachen.de
Moulding, Extrusion and Rubber Technology, Part Design and Materials Technology, and Composites and
Polyurethane Technology. The institute also takes in the Centre for Analysis and Testing of Plastics, and the
Training and Further Education department. IKV is run by an Association of Sponsors, which currently has a
membership of more than 230 plastics companies from all over the world. Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann
is Head of the Institute and Managing Director of the Association of Sponsors. He also holds the Chair of Plastics
Processing at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University.
Contact:
Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV)
in Industrie und Handwerk an der RWTH Aachen
Andreas Cohnen, M.Sc.
Compounding/Reactive extrusion
Seffenter Weg 201
52074 Aachen, Germany
Phone: +49 241 80-28371
E-mail: [email protected]
Press contact:
Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV)
in Industrie und Handwerk an der RWTH Aachen
Ulla Köhne
Head of public relations
Seffenter Weg 201
52074 Aachen, Germany
Telefon: +49 241 80-96631
E-mail: [email protected]
Fuel cell stack with bipolar plates made of a plastic compound (photo: Eisenhuth/IKV)
Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV) in Industrie und Handwerk an der RWTH Aachen  Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann
Seffenter Weg 201  52074 Aachen  Germany  Telefon +49 241 80-93806  Telefax +49 241 80-92262
E-Mail: [email protected]  www.ikv-aachen.de

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