Numerical simulation of Effect of Contact Pressure on Gas Diffusion Layers deformation of a PEM Fuel Cell

In this study, a two-dimensional, Finite Element model has been implemented based numerical modeling simulations to predict mechanical behavior of a representative unit of fuel cell stack deformation under three levels of contact pressure between GDL and bipolar plate assuming that the GDL deformation as a combination of elastic deformation and fibers slippage. The intrusion of the GDL into the channel was estimated. Indeed, with orthotropic behavior of the GDL, the proposed nonlinear orthotropic model converges towards the models of the literature as a function of the contact pressure level between the bipolar plate and the GDL (Gas Diffusion Layers).