The mechanical reliability of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is a major concern for fuel cell vehicles. Hygrothermal cyclic conditions induce mechanical stress in MEAs and cracks form under operating conditions. This paper investigates the failure mechanism of MEAs under several mechanical and environmental conditions with the aim of designing durable PEFCs. We performed static tensile tests and low-cycle fatigue tests on MEAs. During the tensile tests, the temperature and humidity of the test chamber were controlled and surface crack formation of MEAs was observed in situ by a video microscope. Low-cycle fatigue tests were performed at ambient conditions and the number of cycles to crack formation was measured. The results reveal that the temperature and the humidity affect the mechanical properties of MEA. Observations of MEAs during tensile tests reveal that cracks form on the surface of catalyst layers immediately after the MEAs yield. These results indicate that reducing the deformation mismatch between the catalyst layer and the proton exchange membrane is important for suppressing crack formation in MEAs. The results of low-cycle fatigue tests reveal that the fatigue strength of a MEA follows the Coffin–Manson law so that fatigue design of MEAs based on the Coffin–Manson law is possible. This result is valuable for designing durable PEFCs.
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Susono,
Susono,
Keio University,
3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku,
Yokohama,
Susono,
Susono,
Susono,
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April 2013
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Research-Article
Crack Formation in Membrane Electrode Assembly Under Static and Cyclic Loadings
Yusuke Kai,
Susono,
Yusuke Kai
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
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Yuki Kitayama,
Susono,
Yuki Kitayama
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
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Masaki Omiya,
Keio University,
3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku,
Yokohama,
Susono,
Masaki Omiya
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,Keio University,
3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku,
Yokohama,
Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
1Corresponding author: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
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Tomoaki Uchiyama,
Susono,
Tomoaki Uchiyama
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
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Manabu Kato
Susono,
Manabu Kato
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
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Yusuke Kai
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
Yuki Kitayama
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
Masaki Omiya
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,Keio University,
3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku,
Yokohama,
Kanagawa 223-8522
, Japan
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
Tomoaki Uchiyama
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
Manabu Kato
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Susono,
Shizuoka
, Japan
1Corresponding author: oomiya@mech.keio.ac.jp
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology. Manuscript received December 20, 2012; final manuscript received January 18, 2013; published online March 25, 2013. Editor: Nigel M. Sammes.
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Apr 2013, 10(2): 021007 (8 pages)
Published Online: March 25, 2013
Article history
Received:
December 20, 2012
Revision Received:
January 18, 2013
Citation
Kai, Y., Kitayama, Y., Omiya, M., Uchiyama, T., and Kato, M. (March 25, 2013). "Crack Formation in Membrane Electrode Assembly Under Static and Cyclic Loadings." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. April 2013; 10(2): 021007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4023878
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