About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 AWS Professional Program
|
| Symposium
|
2025 AWS Professional Program
|
| Presentation Title |
Continuous High-Speed Electron Beam Welding of Metallic Bipolar Plates |
| Author(s) |
Sebastian Müller, Patrick Urbanek |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Sebastian Müller |
| Abstract Scope |
The presentation deals with the high-rate joining of metallic bipolar plates for fuel cells and electrolysers. Hydrogen is regarded as a promising storage medium for renewable energy, but the high componentprices are a decisive cost factor. To reduce production costs, the Fraunhofer IWU is developing end-to-end process chains for manufacturing metallic bipolar plates - from raw material processing to thefinished stack - with cycle times of less than one second per plate.
A key process is high-speed electron beam welding, which enables a media-tight connection of embossedcathode and anode plates. Thanks to a beam deflection of up to 200 kHz, multi-process and multi-bathtechnologies can be used that cannot be realised with laser welding. Working in a vacuum ensures the highest seam quality with low sensitivity to imperfections. A globally unique test facility has been put intooperation at the Fraunhofer IWU for technological realisation. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |