| abstract |
A seal and corresponding method of manufacture of stacks enabled by the physical properties of the seal are provided. In the instance of a fuel cell or other electrochemical stack, the seal provides low-cost manufacturing and reliable/durable operation in high temperature (e.g., 120° C. to 250° C.) and acidic environments. The seal provides an elastomeric material characteristic providing resiliency and flexibility, and a protective characteristic that protects the seal from the high temperature acidic environment, such as found in high temperature PEM fuel cells. The seal is affixed to a plate of a fuel cell stack assembly prior to assembly of the stack, such that there is no requirement to apply an adhesive seal, gasket, free flow to solid sealing material, or the like, to each plate during assembly of the fuel cell stack, or during a disassembly and re-assembly process. |