Effect of in-service factors on the mechanical strength of molded carbon separators

Abstract

Effects of corrosion on the mechanical strength of molded carbon separators were studied by changing the crosshead speed in the bending tests for various test temperatures. The flexural strength of the molded separators reduced with increasing the test temperature. It was also observed that the flexural strength reduced with decreasing the crosshead speed in the bending test. From the log-log plots of the strength of the separator against the rate of loading stress, it was found that the strength reduction with decreasing the crosshead speed became relatively larger for the higher test temperatures. The slope of the log-log plots implies that it may be a measure of the durability of molded separators.