Hydrogen market for Fuel cell
and ThreeBond Solutions

A fuel cell is composed of several precisely assembled functional layers designed to generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. A single cell typically includes:

• Bipolar plates, which ensure the distribution of hydrogen and air, collect current, and provide mechanical strength
• MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly), consisting of a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between catalyst layers and gas diffusion layers
• Sealing areas, applied around the active zone to prevent hydrogen, air, and coolant leakage

Each component must be perfectly aligned and sealed to ensure efficiency, durability, and safety under operating pressure and temperature conditions.

To guarantee tight sealing between the different components, liquid gasket materials are precisely applied directly onto the bipolar plates or frames. Depending on the production process and performance requirements, sealing is achieved using:

• FIPG (Formed-In-Place Gasket) or CIPG (Cured-In-Place Gasket) technologies
• Automated dispensing or screen-printing processes, ensuring high accuracy, repeatability, and compatibility with mass production

Once dispensed, the sealing material is cured — either by heat curing or UV curing — forming a robust and continuous gasket.

After sealing and curing, individual cells are assembled into a fuel cell stack. This stacking process involves:

• Alternating sealed bipolar plates and MEAs in a precise sequence
• Carefully aligning all layers to maintain uniform gas flow and electrical contact
• Applying controlled compression using end plates and tie rods to ensure consistent sealing performance

The final stack can consist of dozens to hundreds of individual cells, depending on the targeted power output. Proper sealing integrity throughout the stack is essential to prevent leaks, ensure safety, and maintain high efficiency.