The key materials that will lead high-performance fuel cells into the future

In the global trend towards clean and efficient energy, fuel cell technology, particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cells, has become the focus in high-end industries such as automobiles and aerospace. In these applications that have extremely strict requirements for power density, lifespan and reliability, a key material is playing an irreplaceable role - titanium Gr.5 foil.

Titanium Gr.5, with the international designation Ti-6Al-4V, is a highly versatile α-β type titanium alloy. When we apply it to the core component of fuel cells - the metal bipolar plate - its advantages are fully evident:
Extremely high corrosion resistance: The interior of the fuel cell is an extremely harsh environment with acidic, humid conditions and a high electrical potential. Stainless steel would corrode under these conditions and release metal ions that poison the catalyst. However, the surface of the titanium Grade 5 foil naturally forms an extremely stable and dense passivation oxide film, providing a guarantee of several decades of lifespan for the cell stack. This is the cornerstone for achieving commercial durability.

Unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio: In the aerospace and new energy vehicle industries, every gram of weight reduction is of great significance. Titanium Gr.5 foil boasts an astonishing strength-to-weight ratio, allowing engineers to use ultra-thin thicknesses (typically ranging from 0.05 millimeters to 0.1 millimeters) to manufacture bipolar plates, thereby creating fuel cell stacks with extremely high power density, robust structure, and lightweight design.

Perfect barrier property: As a dense metal, the titanium Gr.5 strip can completely prevent the penetration of hydrogen and oxygen, avoiding the loss of fuel and potential safety risks. This is something that graphite or composite materials cannot match.

Core Technology: The perfect combination of ultra-thin thickness and surface modification

The function of the bipolar plate goes beyond merely separating individual batteries. It also requires a precise gas flow field. Through precise stamping technology, complex flow channel patterns can be efficiently imprinted on the thin titanium Grade strip as thin as a cicada's wing.

However, although the oxide film on the surface of pure titanium foil is an excellent anti-corrosion layer, it is an insulator and poor at conducting electricity. Therefore, surface conductive coating treatment for titanium Gr.5 foil is an indispensable step. The current mainstream solution is to coat its surface with a layer of precious metals or ceramic coatings such as gold, platinum, or titanium nitride. This nanometer-thick coating can significantly reduce the contact resistance and enhance the corrosion resistance to a new level. This "combination of hardness and flexibility" design - using titanium Gr.5 foil as the strong and durable base material and a special coating as the conductive protective layer - constitutes the most advanced metal bipolar plate technology at present.

Fuel cell vehicles: Some of the leading fuel cell vehicle manufacturers have all adopted metal bipolar plate stacks based on titanium Gr.5 foil in their latest generation products, in order to achieve longer range, faster start-up speed and a more compact engine layout.

Aerospace: From long-endurance unmanned aircraft operating at high altitudes to the hydrogen-powered aircraft under development, the requirements for weight and reliability have reached an extreme level. Titanium Gr.5 foil, with its lightweight and high-strength properties, has become the ideal choice for such applications.

Fixed power station: For backup power sources or distributed power stations that require long lifespan and low maintenance costs, the stack using titanium Gr.5 foil bipolar plates can provide unparalleled operational stability.

It can be said that the titanium Gr.5 foil, with its comprehensive properties of corrosion resistance, lightweight, and high strength, has already become an indispensable strategic material in high-performance fuel cells, especially in the evolution of metal bipolar plate technology. With the explosion of the hydrogen energy industry and the advancement of manufacturing processes, the cost of ultra-thin titanium Gr.5 foil will be further optimized, and its application will penetrate from the high-end field to the lower end, providing a solid material foundation for the global green energy transformation. Choosing titanium Gr.5 foil is choosing to give fuel cells a stronger heart and a longer lifespan.

Chinese Manufacturer - Fortu Tech supplies titanium grade 5 foil to multiple countries and regions around the world. Its service coverage includes the United States, Canada, Russia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland, Japan, South Korea, as well as Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and other places in Latin America.

Fortu Tech can also produce and process Ti Gr.5 foil, Ti Gr.5 Capillary Tube, Ti Gr.5 billet, Ti Gr.5 sheet, Ti Gr.5 plate, Ti Gr.5 rod, Ti Gr.5 wire, Ti Gr.5 tubes.