JP2005332659A - Manufacturing method of separator for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of a separator for a fuel cell having a low electric resistance (penetration resistance) with respect to piling pressure direction. <P>SOLUTION: The manufacturing method comprises a first preliminary forming process in which a first preliminary molding 110 of plate shape having a wedge shape cross-section is formed by pressurizing and compressing in thickness direction a forming material of powder form in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed at temperatures less than the thermosetting temperature of resin, a second preliminary process in which the first preliminary molding 110 is pressurized and compressed from horizontal direction at temperatures less than thermosetting temperatures of the resin and the wedge shape cross-section is deformed, and thereby a second preliminary molding of flat plate shape is formed, and a finishing forming process in which the second preliminary molding is pressurized and compressed in thickness direction and a molding body of a separator shape is formed and the resin contained in the forming material is heat cured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator.

  A single cell of a fuel cell has a separator for separating fuel gas and air, etc., and the separator is molded by pressing and compressing a powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed. Has been.

A conventional separator manufacturing method compresses and compresses a molding material from a plurality of directions in order to make the orientation (aspect ratio) of graphite random (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is also one that uses graphite in a granular powder formed by aggregating a plurality of microcrystals (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-180892 JP 2003-17085 A

  However, in the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, variation in electric resistance is suppressed and a separator having a certain quality can be obtained, but a small electric resistance (penetration resistance) is achieved in the stacking pressure direction. Is not easy. Therefore, the fuel cell in which the separator is incorporated has a problem that it is difficult to exhibit good performance.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems associated with the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator having a low electrical resistance (penetration resistance) in the stacking pressure direction.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed is pressed and compressed in the thickness direction at a temperature lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin, so that a plate-like first preliminary having a wedge-shaped cross section is obtained. A first preforming step for forming a molded article;
The first preform is compressed and compressed from the lateral direction at a temperature lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin, thereby deforming the wedge-shaped cross section and forming a flat second preform. 2 preforming steps;
The second preform is press-compressed in the thickness direction to form a separator-shaped molded body, and has a finish molding step for thermosetting the resin contained in the molding material. This is a method for producing a fuel cell separator.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, in the first preforming step, a plate-like first preform having a wedge-shaped cross section is obtained from a powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed. Is formed. At this time, since the molding material is pressure-compressed in the thickness direction, the graphite contained in the molding material is oriented in a direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section (a direction substantially intersecting with the pressure-compression direction). To do. In the second preforming step, the wedge-shaped cross section of the first preform is deformed by pressurizing and compressing from the lateral direction, and a flat plate-like second preform is formed. At this time, since the adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross section are deformed so as to be integrated close to each other, the graphite oriented in the direction along the outline of the wedge-shaped cross section is oriented in the thickness direction. . Therefore, the separator-shaped molded body formed in the finish molding step has graphite oriented in the thickness direction. The thickness direction is the stacking pressure direction of the separator. That is, the manufacturing method of the separator for fuel cells which has a low electrical resistance (penetration resistance) regarding the stacking pressure direction can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a separator shown in FIG.

  The fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention is used in the form of a stack formed by stacking a large number of single cells 10, for example, as a drive source for an automobile.

  The single cell 10 is a device that can obtain electricity in the process of obtaining water by reacting hydrogen and oxygen by utilizing the reverse principle of electrolysis of water, and includes a membrane electrode assembly 20 and a gas diffusion layer 25A. 25B and separators 30 and 40. The membrane electrode assembly 20 is formed by arranging electrodes on which catalyst layers are formed on both sides of a solid polymer membrane. The gas diffusion layers 25 </ b> A and 25 </ b> B are disposed on both surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly 20. The separators 30 and 40 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the gas diffusion layers 25A and 25B.

  The separator 30 has an outer surface 31 in which a flow channel 32 for flowing cooling water is formed, and an inner surface 35 in which a flow channel 36 for flowing fuel gas (hydrogen) is formed. The separator 40 has an outer surface 41 in which a flow channel 42 for flowing cooling water is formed, and an inner surface 45 in which a flow channel 46 for flowing oxidant gas (air) is formed.

  The shape and arrangement of the channel grooves 32, 36, 42, and 46 need to take into account gas diffusibility, pressure loss, discharge of generated water, cooling performance, and the like, and as shown in FIG. It has a complicated structure.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the separator for fuel cells which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The manufacturing method includes a first preforming step, a second preforming step, and a finish molding step. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a molding apparatus 150 applied to the first preforming step.

  The molding apparatus 150 includes a molding die 160 and a heating apparatus 170 for forming the plate-shaped first preform 110 having a wedge-shaped cross section. The molding die 160 includes a lower mold (one of first and second molding molds) 161 arranged in a fixed manner, and an upper mold (first and second moldings) arranged so as to be close to and away from the lower mold 161. 166 on the other side of the mold.

  The lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 have plate-like cavities 162 and 167 having a wedge-shaped cross section, and are filled with a powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed. The cavities 162 and 167 are set such that the thickness of the wedge-shaped cross section of the first preform 110 is substantially constant. Graphite is scaly.

  The thermosetting resin is, for example, a phenol resin or an epoxy resin. A phenol resin is preferable because it is excellent in economic efficiency, workability, moldability, physical properties (acid resistance, heat resistance, fluid impermeability) and the like.

  After the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 are clamped, the molding apparatus 150 presses and compresses the molding material in the thickness direction by the plate-shaped cavities 162 and 167 having a wedge-shaped cross section, whereby a plate having a wedge-shaped cross section is formed. It is possible to form a shaped first preform 110. In this case, the graphite contained in the first preform 110 is oriented in a direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section (a direction substantially intersecting with the pressure compression direction).

  The heating device 170 includes a heating source 171 disposed inside the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 to heat the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166, and a controller 175 for controlling the heating source 171. The heating source 171 is, for example, a resistance heating element.

  The controller 175 can adjust the temperature of the molding material inside the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 by controlling the heat source 171 to be lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin contained in the molding material and higher than the melting temperature. It is. Since this temperature control improves the fluidity of the resin and graphite contained in the molding material, it is easy to orient the graphite in a direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section (a direction substantially intersecting the pressure compression direction). It is preferable in terms of promotion.

  Moreover, the melting of the resin improves the shape retention ability (integration) of the obtained first preform 110. Therefore, handling for transporting the first preformed product to the second preforming process becomes easy.

  Next, the 1st preforming process in the case of using the shaping | molding apparatus 150 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the filling of the molding material into the molding die of the molding apparatus of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows the mold clamping and pressure compression in the thickness direction following FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining, FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the orientation of graphite contained in the molding material before clamping in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a molding material after pressure compression in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the first preform formed in the first preforming step. FIG.

  First, the nozzle 191 is moved from the standby position and disposed above the cavity 162 of the lower mold 161 (see FIG. 4). For example, the nozzle 191 is connected to a container (not shown) that holds a powdery molding material 100 in which graphite 101 and a thermosetting resin 105 are mixed.

  Then, the molding material 100 is moved while being discharged from the nozzle 191, so that the molding material 100 is evenly filled into the cavities 162 of the lower mold 161. When the filling of the molding material 100 is continued and the filling amount required for molding the separator is reached, the discharge of the molding material 100 from the nozzle 191 is stopped. When the nozzle 191 moves backward to the standby position, for example, a blade (not shown) is moved along the surface of the molding material 100 to flatten the surface of the molding material 100.

  Thereafter, the upper die 166 is lowered and brought close to the lower die 161. After the upper mold 166 and the lower mold 161 are clamped, they are pressed and compressed in the thickness direction by plate-like cavities 162 and 167 having wedge-shaped cross sections (see FIG. 5). The pressure compression in the thickness direction is a state in which the orientation of the graphite 101 contained in the molding material 100 is aligned in a direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section from a random state before clamping (see FIG. 6). 7).

  At this time, the controller 175 controls the heating source 171 to raise the temperature of the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166, and the temperature of the molding material 100 inside the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 is changed to the heat of the resin 105. The resin 105 is melted by adjusting the temperature below the curing temperature and above the melting temperature. Since the melting of the resin 105 improves the fluidity of the resin 105 and the graphite 101, it facilitates and accelerates the orientation of the graphite 101 in the direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section.

  Thereafter, the upper mold 166 is raised and the mold is opened, and when the temperature of the molding material 100 falls to, for example, room temperature, the plate-shaped first preform 110 having a wedge-shaped cross section (see FIG. 8) is taken out.

  As described above, in the first preforming step, a plate-like first preform having a wedge-shaped cross section is formed from a powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed. At this time, since the molding material is pressure-compressed in the thickness direction, the graphite contained in the first preform is oriented in the direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section.

  In addition, the graphite contained in the molding material is not particularly limited, but scale-like is preferable. In this case, since the aspect ratio is large, the graphite can be easily oriented by pressure compression.

  Further, the heating device 170 is not limited to the one having the heating source 171 made of a resistance heating element. For example, a mode in which a heating fluid (heating medium) is introduced into the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 may be applied. Is possible. The heating fluid is not particularly limited, but high-temperature oil is preferable in consideration of cost and handleability. Further, the heating source 171 of the heating device 170 can be disposed only in one of the lower mold 161 and the upper mold 166 as necessary.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the molding apparatus 250 applied to the second preforming process following the first preforming process.

  The molding apparatus 250 includes a molding die 260 and a heating device 270 to form a flat plate-shaped second preform. The molding die 260 includes a lower mold (one of the first and second molding molds) 261 arranged in a fixed manner, and an upper mold (first and second moldings) arranged so as to be close to and away from the lower mold 261. 266, and a movable male die 280 disposed on the side of the lower die 261 and the upper die 266.

  The lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 have flat cavities 262 and 267, and the first preform 110 is disposed inside. The movable male die 280 is disposed in the cavities 262 and 267 of the clamped lower die 261 and upper die 266 so as to be able to advance and retreat.

  After the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 are clamped, the molding apparatus 250 compresses and compresses the side surface 111 of the first preform 110 from the lateral direction by the end face 281 of the movable male mold 280. It is possible to deform the wedge-shaped cross section of one preform 110 to form a flat plate-like second preform. In this case, since the adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross-section are deformed so as to be integrated close to each other, the graphite 105 included in the molding material 100 is oriented in the thickness direction.

  The heating device 270 includes a heating source 271 that is disposed inside the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 to heat the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266, and a controller 275 that controls the heating source 271. The heating source 271 is, for example, a resistance heating element.

  The controller 275 controls the heating source 271 to adjust the temperature of the molding material 100 inside the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 to be lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin 105 included in the molding material 100 and higher than the melting temperature. It is possible. This temperature control is preferable in terms of improving the fluidity of the resin 105 and the graphite 101 and facilitating and facilitating the deformation so that the adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross-section are close to each other and integrated.

  Further, the melting of the resin improves the shape retention ability (integration) of the obtained second preform. Therefore, handling for transporting the second preformed product to the finish molding process becomes easy.

  Next, the 2nd preforming process in the case of using the shaping | molding apparatus 250 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the arrangement of the first preform in the molding die of the molding apparatus of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing clamping and lateral pressurization following FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for explaining compression, FIG. 12 is a schematic view for explaining the orientation of graphite contained in the molding material after pressure compression in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is formed in the second preforming step. It is a perspective view for demonstrating a 2nd preform.

  First, the upper mold 266 is raised, and the plate-shaped first preform 110 having a wedge-shaped cross section is placed in the cavity 262 of the lower mold 261 that has been opened (see FIG. 10). The first preform 110 is formed in a state where the resin is melted, and has a good shape retention ability, and therefore is easy to handle.

  Then, the upper mold 266 is lowered and brought close to the lower mold 261. The upper mold 266 and the lower mold 261 are clamped, and the movable male mold 280 disposed on the side of the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 is advanced (see FIG. 11). The end face 281 of the movable male mold 280 pressurizes and compresses the side surface 111 of the first preform 110 from the lateral direction to deform the wedge-shaped cross section of the first preform 110.

At this time, since the lower surface 112 and the upper surface 117 of the first preform 110 are supported by the flat cavities 262 and 267 of the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266, the adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross section are close to each other. It is easily deformed so as to be integrated into a flat plate shape. As a result, the graphite 101 contained in the molding material 100 is oriented in the thickness direction (see FIG. 12).
In addition, the controller 275 controls the heating source 271 to adjust the temperature of the molding material 100 inside the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 to be lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin 105 and higher than the melting temperature. Melt. Since the melting of the resin 105 improves the fluidity of the resin 105 and the graphite 101, it facilitates and promotes deformation so that adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross-section are integrated close to each other.

  Thereafter, the upper mold 266 is raised and the movable male mold 280 is moved backward to open the mold. When the temperature of the molding material 100 drops to, for example, room temperature, the flat second preform 120 ( Is taken out).

  As described above, in the second preforming step, by pressing and compressing from the lateral direction, the wedge-shaped cross section of the first preform is deformed, and a flat plate-like second preform is formed. At this time, since the adjacent top portions of the wedge-shaped cross section are deformed so as to be integrated close to each other, the graphite oriented in the direction along the contour of the wedge-shaped cross section has a thickness in the second preform. It will be oriented in the vertical direction.

  The heating device 270 is not limited to the one having the heating source 271 made of a resistance heating element. For example, a mode in which a heating fluid (heating medium) is introduced into the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 may be applied. Is possible. The heating fluid is not particularly limited, but high-temperature oil is preferable in consideration of cost and handleability. Further, the heating source 271 of the heating device 270 can be disposed only in one of the lower mold 261 and the upper mold 266 as necessary.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the molding apparatus applied to the finish molding process following the second preforming process.

  The molding device 350 includes a molding die 360 and a heating device 370 to form a separator-shaped molded body. The molding die 360 includes a lower mold (one of the first and second molding molds) 361 arranged in a fixed manner, and an upper mold (first and second moldings) arranged so as to be close to and away from the lower mold 361. 366, and a movable male mold 380 disposed on the side of the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366.

  The lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 have convex portions 362 and 367 and cavities 363 and 368 disposed on the top surfaces of the convex portions 362 and 367. The cavities 363 and 368 correspond to the lower surface shape and the upper surface shape of the separator, and are opposed to the lower surface 122 and the upper surface 127 of the second preform 120 arranged inside. The movable male die 380 is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the side surfaces 364 and 369 of the convex portions 362 and 367 of the lower die 361 and the upper die 366, and the end surface 381 is the side surface 364 of the convex portions 362 and 367. , 369 can be freely contacted. Therefore, the movable male mold 380 positions the second preform 120 placed in the cavities 363 and 368 of the convex portions 362 and 367 and supports the side surface 121 of the second preform 120. It is possible.

  The molding apparatus 350 forms a separator-shaped molded body by pressing and compressing the second preform 120 in the thickness direction by the cavities 363 and 368 after the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 are clamped. Is possible. Since the graphite 101 contained in the molding material 100 is oriented in the thickness direction, the molded body has graphite oriented in the thickness direction.

  The heating device 370 includes a heating source 371 disposed inside the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 for heating the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366, and a controller 375 for controlling the heating source 371. The heating source 371 is, for example, a resistance heating element.

  The controller 375 can control the temperature of the molding material 100 inside the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 by controlling the heating source 371 to be equal to or higher than the thermosetting temperature of the resin 105 contained in the molding material 100. is there.

  Next, the finish molding process when using the molding apparatus 350 will be described. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the arrangement of the second preform in the molding die of the molding apparatus of FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing clamping and thickness direction addition following FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating pressure compression.

  First, the upper die 366 is raised, and the flat plate-shaped second preform 120 is placed in the cavity 363 of the lower die 361 that has been opened (see FIG. 15). As described above, the graphite contained in the second preform 120 is oriented in the thickness direction. In addition, the second preform 120 is formed in a state where the resin is melted, and has a good shape retention ability, so that it is easy to handle.

  Then, the movable male die 380 is advanced toward the side surface 364 of the convex portion 362 of the lower die 361, and the end portion end surface 381 is brought into contact with the side surface 364, thereby positioning the second preform 120.

  Thereafter, the upper die 366 is lowered and brought close to the lower die 361. After the upper mold 366 and the lower mold 361 are clamped, the second preform 120 is pressurized and compressed in the thickness direction by the cavities 363 and 368 corresponding to the lower surface shape and the upper surface shape of the separator (see FIG. 16). The pressure compression in the thickness direction changes the lower surface 122 and the upper surface 127 of the second preform 120 into a separator shape. At this time, since the side surface 121 of the second preform 120 is supported by the end surface 381 of the movable male mold 380, good dimensional accuracy can be obtained.

  In addition, the controller 375 controls the heating source 371 to adjust the temperature of the molding material 100 inside the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 to be equal to or higher than the thermosetting temperature of the resin 105 to cure the resin 105.

  Thereafter, the upper die 366 is raised and the movable male die 380 is retracted to open the die. When the temperature of the molding material 100 is lowered to, for example, room temperature, a separator-shaped molded body is taken out.

  As described above, in the finish molding step, the graphite contained in the second preform 120, which is the material of the molded body, is oriented in the thickness direction, so the molded body 130 is oriented in the thickness direction. Will have graphite. The thickness direction is the stacking pressure direction of the separator.

  That is, this embodiment can provide a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator having a low electrical resistance (penetration resistance) in the stacking pressure direction.

  In addition, when the thermal curing speed of the resin 105 is slow, the resin 105 in the middle of curing moves to the surface and corners and concentrates locally, thereby forming a resin-rich portion and causing poor dispersion of the graphite 101. There is a fear. Moreover, the problem that cycle time deteriorates also arises. Therefore, it is preferable that the heating device 370 has rapid heating performance.

  The heating device 370 is not limited to the one having the heating source 371 made of a resistance heating element. For example, a form in which a heating fluid (heating medium) is introduced into the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 can be applied. is there. The heating fluid is not particularly limited, but high-temperature oil is preferable in consideration of cost and handleability. The heating source 371 of the heating device 370 can be disposed only in one of the lower mold 361 and the upper mold 366 as necessary.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, the heating device in each step can appropriately apply electromagnetic induction heating, ultrasonic heating, or the like as a heating source. Electromagnetic induction heating and ultrasonic heating are preferable from the viewpoint of rapid heating, as in the case of heated fluid. Furthermore, electromagnetic induction heating is also preferable in that it has a function of directly heating graphite contained in the molding material. For example, when electromagnetic induction heating is applied as a heating source, the electromagnetic induction coil can be arranged by being spirally wound around and around the cavity surface of the lower mold.

  In addition, it is possible to shorten the cycle time by appropriately providing a cooling device in the molding apparatus in each step to rapidly cool the temperature of the molding material. The cooling source of the cooling device can be configured by, for example, a passage that is disposed inside the lower mold and / or the upper mold and into which a cooling fluid (refrigerant) is introduced. The cooling fluid is not particularly limited, but low temperature water is preferable in consideration of cost and handleability.

It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the fuel cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the separator shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the shaping | molding apparatus applied to the 1st preforming process in the manufacturing method of the separator for fuel cells which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating filling of the molding material to the inside of the shaping die which the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. 3 has. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining mold clamping and pressure compression in the thickness direction following FIG. 4. It is the schematic for demonstrating the orientation of the graphite contained in a molding material before the mold clamping of FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the orientation of the graphite contained in a molding material after the pressure compression of FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the 1st preformed product formed in a 1st preforming process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the shaping | molding apparatus applied to the 2nd preforming process following a 1st preforming process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the 1st preform in the inside of the shaping die which the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. 9 has. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining mold clamping and lateral pressure compression following FIG. 10. It is the schematic for demonstrating the orientation of the graphite contained in a molding material after the pressure compression of FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the 2nd preform formed in a 2nd preforming process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the shaping | molding apparatus applied to a finish shaping | molding process following a 2nd preforming process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the 2nd preform in the inside of the shaping die which the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. 14 has. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining mold clamping and pressure compression in the thickness direction following FIG. 15.

Explanation of symbols

10. Single cell,
20 .. Membrane electrode assembly,
25A, 25B ... Gas diffusion layer,
30, 40 ... separator
31, 41..
32, 36, 42, 46..
35, 45 ... inner surface,
100. ・ Molding material,
101 .. Graphite,
105 .. Thermosetting resin,
110 .. First preformed product,
111 .. side
112 .. lower surface,
117 .. upper surface,
120 .. 2nd preform,
121 .. side
122 .. lower surface,
127 .. upper surface,
150. ・ Molding equipment,
160 .. Molding mold,
161 ... lower mold,
162 .. cavity,
166 ... Upper mold,
167.cavity,
170 .. heating device,
171 ... Heating source
175 .. Controller
191 Nozzle,
250. ・ Molding equipment,
260 .. Molding mold,
261 ... Lower mold,
262 .. cavity,
266 ... Upper mold,
267 .. cavity,
270 ... Heating device,
271 ... Heating source
275 ・ ・ Controller,
280 ... Moveable male type,
281 .. end face,
350 .. Molding equipment
360..Molding mold,
361 ... Lower mold,
362 .. convex part,
363.cavity,
364 .. side,
366 ... Upper mold,
367 .. Convex part,
368 .. cavity,
369 .. side,
370 .. heating device,
371 ... Heating source
375. Controller
380 ・ ・ Moveable male type,
381 .. End face.

Claims (8)

A powdery molding material in which graphite and a thermosetting resin are mixed is pressed and compressed in the thickness direction at a temperature lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin, so that a plate-like first preliminary having a wedge-shaped cross section is obtained. A first preforming step for forming a molded article;
The first preform is compressed and compressed from the lateral direction at a temperature lower than the thermosetting temperature of the resin, thereby deforming the wedge-shaped cross section and forming a flat second preform. 2 preforming steps;
The second preform is press-compressed in the thickness direction to form a separator-shaped molded body, and has a finish molding step for thermosetting the resin contained in the molding material. A method for producing a fuel cell separator.   The method for producing a fuel cell separator according to claim 1, wherein the graphite is scaly.   The method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the wedge-shaped cross section of the first preform is substantially constant.   The method for producing a separator for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resin is melted in the first preforming step.   The molding die applied in the first preforming step has first and second molding dies that have plate-like cavities having a wedge-shaped cross section and are arranged to be close to and away from each other. 5. The fuel cell separator according to claim 1, wherein the first and second molding dies are filled and clamped and pressure-compressed in a thickness direction. 6. Production method.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resin is melted in the second preforming step.   The molding dies applied in the second pre-molding step include first and second molding dies that have a flat cavity and are arranged close to and away from each other, and sides of the first and second molding dies. The first preform is placed and clamped inside the first and second molding dies, and is compressed and compressed from the lateral direction by the movable male die. The manufacturing method of the separator for fuel cells of any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The molding die applied in the finish molding step has first and second molding dies that have cavities corresponding to the outer shape of the separator and are arranged to be close to and away from each other, and the second preform is The fuel cell separator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel cell separator is disposed inside the first and second molds, clamped, and pressurized and compressed in a thickness direction. Manufacturing method.

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