Comparison between TiN Coating on Porous Ti-6Al-4V Produced by PBF-EB/M or PM for Bipolar Plates in PEM Fuel Cells

Abstract:

The exceptional corrosion resistance, low weight, and high strength of titanium (Ti) make it an excellent choice for components in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). However, during PEMFC operation, Ti undergoes passivation, which diminishes the bipolar plates' (BP) ability to transport electrons between cells. Applying titanium nitride (TiN) coatings, known for their good conductive properties, can resolve this issue and enhance corrosion resistance. Additionally, using additive manufacturing (AM) to produce BP offers numerous benefits in terms of structural control for more intricate designs. This study examines the impact of TiN coating via gas nitriding on Ti-6Al-4V open structures created by powder bed fusion-electron beam/metal (PBF-EB/M) or PM routes, focusing on the surface characteristics such as composition and interfacial contact resistance (ICR).

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1009)
• Pages: 79-88
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-cGo5dg
• Online since: March 2025
• Authors: Juan Villemur*, Carlos Romero Villarreal, Jose Manuel Crego, José Ramón Blasco Puchades, Elena Gordo Odériz
• Keywords: Bipolar Plates, Corrosion, PBF-Eb/M, Ti-6Al-4V, TiN Coating

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