Experimental and numerical investigation of the plastic deformation of metallic bipolar plates with serpentine flow filed

In this study, plastic deformation of the metallic bipolar plate with serpentine flow field was investigated during stamping process. Strain path and thickness distribution in 304 stainless steel bipolar plate with the thickness of 0.1 mm were determined. To this aim, the process was simulated by the commercial finite element code. The validity of the result was evaluated by comparing the experimental and numerical thickness distribution and force-displacement curve which represent 4.76 and 3.85% prediction error, respectively. According to the results, flow of the material has significant effect on the thickness distribution of the central and lateral channels, and the thickness reduction percentage of the central channel in longitudinal, diagonal and transverse direction is much more than that of lateral one. Maximum thickness reduction (critical area) in central channels is placed in longitudinal direction (33% at channel side) while the diagonal direction is considered as critical direction for lateral channels. Due to the existence of the equibiaxial tension strain path in diagonal direction, significant thickness reduction is observed in both the side and the rib zone of the channels.