Effects of TiN and TiCrN Coatings on Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Bipolar Plate in Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Taking 316L stainless steel bipolar plate, an important component of hydrogen fuel cell, as the research object, TiN and TiCrN coatings were prepared on the surface of the plate by vacuum sputtering coating method. Then the microstructure, corrosion resistance and contact resistance of the two coatings were analyzed and compared with those of the 316L stainless steel substrate plate. The results show that the two coatings are dense and have no obvious defects. Compared with the 316L stainless steel substrate, the corrosion resistance of the two coated bipolar plates is greatly improved, and the contact resistance is greatly reduced.