The mechanical reliability of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is a major concern with respect to fuel cell vehicles. When PEFCs generate power, water is generated. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) swells in wet conditions and shrinks in dry conditions. These cyclic conditions induce mechanical stress in the MEA, and cracks are formed. Failure of the MEA can result in leaking of fuel gases and reduced output power. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the mechanical reliability of the MEA under various mechanical and environmental conditions. The purpose of the present paper is to observe the deformation behavior of the MEA under humidity cycles. We have developed a device in which the constrained condition of the GDL is modeled by carbon bars of 100 to 500 μm in diameter. The carbon bars are placed side by side and are pressed against the MEA. The device was placed in a temperature and humidity controlled chamber, and humidity cycles were applied to the specimen. During the tests, cross sections of the specimen were observed by microscope, and the strain was calculated based on the curvature of the specimen. The temperature in the test chamber was varied from 25 to 80 °C, and the relative humidity was varied from 50 to 100%RH, and the wet condition was also investigated. The results revealed that the MEA deformed significantly by swelling and residual deformation was observed under the dry condition, even for one humidity cycle. The crack formation criteria for one humidity cycle corresponded approximately with those of the static tensile tests. The results of the humidity cycle tests followed Coffin–Manson law, and the number of cycles until crack formation corresponded approximately with the results of the mechanical fatigue tests. These results will be valuable in the critical design of durable PEFCs.
Skip Nav Destination
Close
Sign In or Register for Account
Article navigation
October 2014
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Research-Article
In Situ Observation of Deformation Behavior of Membrane Electrode Assembly Under Humidity Cycles
Yusuke Kai
,
Yusuke Kai
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Yuki Kitayama
,
Yuki Kitayama
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Masaki Omiya
,
Masaki Omiya
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
e-mail: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Tomoaki Uchiyama
,
Tomoaki Uchiyama
Toyota Motor Corporation
,Mishuku 1200
,Susono, Shizuoka 410-1193
, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Hideyuki Kumei
Hideyuki Kumei
Toyota Motor Corporation
,Mishuku 1200
,Susono, Shizuoka 410-1193
, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Yusuke Kai
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Yuki Kitayama
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Masaki Omiya
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
Keio University
,3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
,Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
e-mail: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
Tomoaki Uchiyama
Toyota Motor Corporation
,Mishuku 1200
,Susono, Shizuoka 410-1193
, Japan
Hideyuki Kumei
Toyota Motor Corporation
,Mishuku 1200
,Susono, Shizuoka 410-1193
, Japan
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF FUEL CELL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received March 28, 2014; final manuscript received May 23, 2014; published online August 26, 2014. Editor: Nigel M. Sammes.
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Oct 2014, 11(5): 051006 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 26, 2014
Article history
Received:
March 28, 2014
Revision Received:
May 23, 2014
Citation
Kai, Y., Kitayama, Y., Omiya, M., Uchiyama, T., and Kumei, H. (August 26, 2014). "In Situ Observation of Deformation Behavior of Membrane Electrode Assembly Under Humidity Cycles." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. October 2014; 11(5): 051006. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028155
Download citation file:
- Ris (Zotero)
- Reference Manager
- EasyBib
- Bookends
- Mendeley
- Papers
- EndNote
- RefWorks
- BibTex
- ProCite
- Medlars
Close
Sign In
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Erratum: “Effects of Nonuniform Temperature Distribution on Degradation of Lithium-Ion Batteries” [ASME J. Electrochem. Energy. Conv. Stor., 2020, 17(2), p. 021101; DOI: 10.1115/1.4045205]
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2021)
Three-Dimensional Glucose/Oxygen Biofuel Cells Based on Enzymes Embedded in Tetrabutylammonium Modified Nafion
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November 2021)
Pt Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanodots-Titania Composite for Enhanced Electro Oxidation of Alcohol Fuels
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (February 2022)
Understanding of the Role of Carbon Fiber Paper in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (February 2022)
Related Articles
Mechanical Degradation Mechanism of Membrane Electrode Assemblies in Buckling Test Under Humidity Cycles
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (December,2012)
Using a Stack Shunt to Mitigate Catalyst Support Carbon Corrosion in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks During Start-Stop Cycling
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (February,2014)
A PEFC With Pt – TiO 2 / C as Oxygen-Reduction Catalyst
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (April,2011)
The Effect of Mechanical Fatigue on the Lifetimes of Membrane Electrode Assemblies
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2010)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Effect of Deformation Temperature on Hydrogen Embrittlement in Low-Carbon Martensitic Steel
International Hydrogen Conference (IHC 2016): Materials Performance in Hydrogen Environments
Combined Cycle Power Plant
Energy and Power Generation Handbook: Established and Emerging Technologies
Concluding Remarks and Future Work
Ultrasonic Welding of Lithium-Ion Batteries