Corrosion Science and Technology

The Corrosion Science Society of Korea (한국부식방식학회)
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Corrosion Characteristics of 316L Stainless Steel with Chloride Concentrations in Cathode Operating Conditions of Metallic Bipolar Plate for PEMFC

고분자 전해질 연료전지 금속분리판용 316L 스테인리스강의 양극작동조건에서 염화물 농도에 따른 부식 특성

  • Shin, Dong-Ho (Graduate School, Mokpo National Maritime University) ;
  • Kim, Seong-Jong (Division of Marine Engineering, Mokpo National Maritime University)
  • 신동호 (목포해양대학교 대학원) ;
  • 김성종 (목포해양대학교 기관시스템공학부)
  • Received : 2021.11.09
  • Accepted : 2021.12.12
  • Published : 2021.12.31
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Abstract

The interest in eco-friendly energy is increasing, and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is attracting attention as alternative power sources. Research on metallic bipolar plates, a fuel cell component, is being actively conducted. However, since the operating conditions of PEMFC, in which sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydrofluoric acid (HF) are mixed, are strong acidity, the durability of the metallic bipolar plate is very important. In this research, the electrochemical characteristics and corrosion damage behavior of 316L stainless steel, a material for metallic bipolar plates, were analyzed through potentiostatic corrosion tests with test times and chloride concentrations. As the test times and chloride concentrations increased, the current density and corrosion damage increased. As a result of observation with scanning electron microscope(SEM) and 3D microscope, both the depth and width of pitting corrosion increased with increases in test times and chloride concentrations. In particular, the pitting corrosion damage depth at test conditions of 6 hours and 1000 ppm chloride increased the most. The growth of the pitting corrosion damage was not directly proportional to time and increased significantly after a certain period.

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References

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