FUEL CELL COMPONENT INCLUDING POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE FILM BONDED TO GRAPHITE
An illustrative example embodiment of method of making a fuel cell component includes placing a graphite substrate and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer in a heated press with a fluoroelastomer adhesive between the graphite substrate and the PTFE layer; pressing the PTFE layer, the fluoroelastomer adhesive and the graphite substrate together using the heated press; removing the graphite substrate, the fluoroelastomer adhesive and the PTFE layer from the heated press; and allowing the graphite substrate, the fluoroelastomer adhesive, and the PTFE layer to cool.
1 . A method of making a fuel cell component, the method comprising:
placing a graphite substrate and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer in a heated press with a fluoroelastomer adhesive between the graphite substrate and the PTFE layer;
pressing the PTFE layer, the fluoroelastomer adhesive and the graphite substrate together using the heated press;
removing the graphite substrate, the fluoroelastomer adhesive and the PTFE layer from the heated press; and
allowing the graphite substrate, the fluoroelastomer adhesive, and the PTFE layer to cool.
2 . The method of claim 1 , comprising
applying the fluoroelastomer adhesive to a portion of the graphite substrate; and
placing the PTFE layer in contact with the fluoroelastomer adhesive.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein applying the fluoroelastomer adhesive comprises applying a bead of the fluoroelastomer adhesive to the portion of the graphite substrate.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the fluoroelastomer adhesive comprises a caulk.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the heated press has a temperature greater than 150° C. (300° F.) and less than 200° C. (400° F.) during the pressing.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the temperature is 170° C. (340° F.).
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the pressing is performed for less than one minute.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the pressing is performed for 30 seconds.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein allowing the graphite substrate, fluoroelastomer adhesive, and the PTFE layer to cool comprises exposing the graphite substrate, the fluoroelastomer adhesive, and the PTFE layer to an ambient temperature.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein allowing the graphite substrate, fluoroelastomer adhesive, and the PTFE layer to cool is performed for 1 minute.
11 . The method of claim 1 , comprising avoiding applying pressure to the PTFE layer between the placing and the pressing.
12 . The method of claim 1 , comprising treating at least one side of the PTFE layer prior to placing the PTFE layer in the heated press.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein treating the at least one side of the PTFE layer comprises etching the at least one side.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein treating the at least one side of the PTFE layer comprises applying a silica coating to the at least one side.
15 . A fuel cell component, comprising:
a graphite substrate;
a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer adjacent a portion of the graphite substrate, at least one side of the PTFE layer that faces the graphite substrate includes a treated surface configured to make the PTFE layer bondable to the graphite substrate; and
a fluoroelastomer adhesive bonding the PTFE layer to the graphite substrate.
16 . The fuel cell component of claim 15 , wherein the treated surface comprises a silica coating.
17 . The fuel cell component of claim 15 , wherein the treated surface has been etched.
18 . The fuel cell component of claim 15 , wherein the fluoroelastomer comprises a bead of caulk applied to the graphite substrate.