Metal components having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure, water electrolysis devices, fuel cells

Abstract

To provide a metal member with a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure with high porosity, low pressure loss of passing fluid and excellent strength.SOLUTION: Provided is a metal member 10 with a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure with a porosity within a range of 50% or more and 95% or less. The three-dimensional regular skeleton structure has a skeleton 12 and a plurality of pores 11 extending in a first direction. A lamination structure, in which pore rows 15 with the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 arranged alternately are laminated periodically, is formed on a cross section orthogonal to the first direction. On the pore rows 15 adjacent to each other in a lamination direction, the phases of the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 are shifted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure, a water electrolysis device, and a fuel cell.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as electrodes and current collectors in various batteries, members for heat exchangers, sound absorption members, filter members, shock absorption members, etc., porous bodies of metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, etc. have been used. For example, in the case of a lithium ion battery, by using a porous body of aluminum as a positive electrode current collector, it is possible to improve the filling density of the positive electrode active material to the limit and achieve uniform current collection from all the active materials, thus expecting an increase in the output of the battery. As this porous body, Sumitomo Electric's Celmex (registered trademark) can be cited, but due to the porous body having a random pore structure, there was a problem that it was difficult to fill the active material to the inside of the porous body.

[0003] Also, in the water electrolysis method using a solid polymer electrolyte cell, a titanium porous body electrode is used as the anode electrode. The anode plays a role of electrolyzing the raw material liquid water to generate oxygen gas. For high electrolysis efficiency, it is important that the gas is quickly discharged. As the titanium porous electrode, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a titanium fiber sintered body or a particle sintered body by a foaming method is used. However, in the above-mentioned metal porous body, since the pores are randomly arranged, the gas permeability is poor, and there is a possibility that the electrolysis efficiency may decrease.

[0004] As a method for solving these problems, in recent years, a laminated manufacturing technology using metal powder as a raw material has been attracting attention. For example, in Patent Documents 3 and 4, technologies for developing a separator for a fuel cell by melting and laminating metal powder using an electron beam as an energy source are disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6485967 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-138005 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-108250 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-108251 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, when electron beams or lasers are used as energy sources, it is difficult to control the melting range of the metal powder raw material, making it impossible to form pores with high precision. In particular, it was extremely difficult to periodically fabricate relatively small pores on the order of 100 μm. As a result, it was not possible to manufacture porous metal bodies with high porosity and low fluid pressure loss. Furthermore, porous metal materials are required to exhibit high strain under pressure and low contact resistance with other components.

[0007] The present invention was made against the background of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure that has a high porosity, low pressure loss of the fluid passing through it, a large amount of strain when pressurized, and low contact resistance with other members, as well as a water electrolysis device and a fuel cell equipped with electrodes made of this metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve these problems and achieve the above objective, the metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure in which the porosity is in the range of 50% to 95%, wherein the three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure has a skeleton and a plurality of pores extending in a first direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, a laminated structure is formed in which rows of pores in which the pores and the skeleton are arranged alternately are periodically stacked, and the phase of the pores and the skeleton is shifted between adjacent rows of pores in the stacking direction.

[0009] According to the metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, since it has a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure with a porosity in the range of 50% to 95%, the porosity is sufficiently high, allowing fluid to flow through the pores and enabling the introduction of active material or the like into the interior. Furthermore, since the metal member having the three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure has a plurality of pores extending in the first direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the pore rows in which the pores and skeleton are arranged alternately are periodically stacked to form a laminated structure, the fluid pressure loss in the first direction can be significantly reduced. In addition, active materials can be easily introduced into the interior of the metal member having the three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure. Furthermore, in adjacent rows of pores in the stacking direction, the phases of the pores and the framework are shifted, resulting in a small Young's modulus. During compression, it can deform to follow the shape of the surrounding members, thereby reducing electrical and thermal resistance due to contact.

[0010] Aspect 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to aspect 1, the phase shift is within the range of π / 4 to 3π / 4. According to the metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in adjacent rows of pores in the stacking direction, the phase difference between the pores and the skeletal structure is within the range of π / 4 to 3π / 4. As a result, the Young's modulus is small, and during compression, it is possible to deform in accordance with the shape of the surrounding member, thereby reducing electrical and thermal resistance due to contact.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to aspect 1 or aspect 2, characterized in that, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the pores is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm. According to the metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of embodiment 3 of the present invention, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the pores is in the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm, and the porosity is in the range of 50% to 95%. As a result, there are many pores with relatively small opening diameters, which further reduces the pressure loss of the fluid in the first direction and allows for the introduction of active material into the interior.

[0012] Aspect 4 of the present invention is a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, characterized in that, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the skeletal structure is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm. According to the metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of embodiment 4 of the present invention, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the skeletal structure is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm, so that strength can be ensured even if the porosity is relatively high.

[0013] Aspect 5 of the present invention is a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, characterized in that, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the pitch of the skeleton in the pore row is within the range of 100 μm to 1500 μm. According to the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure of Aspect 5 of the present invention, since the pitch of the skeleton in the pore row is in the range of 100 μm or more and 1500 μm or less, sufficient strength can be ensured even if the porosity is relatively high.

[0014] Aspect 6 of the present invention is characterized in that, in a metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, the pressure loss of air in the first direction is 30000 Pa or less. According to the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure of Aspect 6 of the present invention, since the pressure loss of air in the first direction is 30000 Pa or less, the pressure loss of the fluid in the first direction can be surely reduced.

[0015] Aspect 7 of the present invention is characterized in that, in a metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, the strain amount when pressurized at 4 MPa is 1.0% or more. According to the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure of Aspect 7 of the present invention, since the strain amount when pressurized at 4 MPa is 1.0% or more, it will deform following the shape of the surrounding members during compression, and the contact resistance with other members can be sufficiently reduced.

[0016] Aspect 8 of the present invention is characterized in that, in a metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, it is made of any one kind of metal selected from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy. According to the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure of Aspect 8 of the present invention, since it is composed of any one kind of metal selected from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy, a metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure according to required characteristics such as conductivity and corrosion resistance can be provided.

[0017] The water electrolysis device of aspect 9 of the present invention is characterized by including an electrode made of a metal member having any one of the three-dimensional regular skeleton structures of aspects 1 to 8. According to the water electrolysis device of aspect 9 of the present invention, since it includes an electrode made of a metal member having the above-described three-dimensional regular skeleton structure, fluid can flow through pores, and the contact resistance with other members can be reduced. Thus, it becomes possible to operate the water electrolysis device efficiently and stably.

[0018] The fuel cell of aspect 10 of the present invention is characterized by including an electrode made of a metal member having any one of the three-dimensional regular skeleton structures of aspects 1 to 8. According to the fuel cell of aspect 10 of the present invention, since it includes an electrode made of a metal member having the above-described three-dimensional regular skeleton structure, fluid can flow through pores, and the contact resistance with other members can be reduced. Thus, it becomes possible to operate the fuel cell efficiently and stably.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure with a high porosity, a low pressure loss of the passing fluid, a large amount of strain during pressurization, and a low contact resistance with other members, a water electrolysis device including an electrode made of the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure, and a fuel cell.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeleton structure which is an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of a cross section orthogonal to the Y-axis direction of the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing an example of a manufacturing method of the metal member having the three-dimensional regular skeleton structure shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a graph showing an example of a compression stress-strain curve in an example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Below, a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0022] The metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as an electrical conductive member such as a cathode electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), an anode electrode for a water electrolysis device, or an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion capacitors.

[0023] The metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment has a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure in which the porosity N is in the range of 50% to 95%, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it has a plurality of pores 11 extending in a first direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to this first direction, a laminated structure is formed in which pore rows 15 in which pores 11 and skeletons 12 are arranged alternately are periodically stacked. Furthermore, in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction, a phase shift occurs between the pores 11 and the skeleton 12.

[0024] The porosity N of the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure is calculated using the following formula. N(%) = (1 - (W / (V × D) T ))) × 100 W: Mass (g) of the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure. V: Volume of metal member 10 having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure (cm³) 3 ) D T : True density (g / cm³) of the metal constituting the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure 3 )

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a plurality of pores 11 extending along the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. Here, Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure, perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figure 2, the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure has pore rows 15 in which pores 11 and skeletons 12 are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction, and this pore row 15 is stacked in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction), a phase shift occurs between the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 in the X-axis direction.

[0026] In the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the phase difference (X-axis direction deviation) D of the pores 11 and skeleton 12 in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction (Z-axis direction) in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction) is within the range of π / 4 to 3π / 4.

[0027] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the equivalent circular diameter of the pores 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction) is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the cross-section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction) is rectangular, and it is preferable that the equivalent diameter of the circle obtained from the cross-sectional area of ​​this pore 11 is within the range described above. Furthermore, it is preferable that the width (length in the X-axis direction) of the rectangular pore 11 is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm, and the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the rectangular pore 11 is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm.

[0028] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the equivalent circular diameter of the skeleton 12 in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction) is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the frame 12 has a rectangular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction), and it is preferable that the equivalent diameter of the circle obtained from the cross-sectional area of ​​this frame 12 is within the range described above. Furthermore, it is preferable that the width (length in the X-axis direction) of the rectangular frame 12 is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm, and the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the rectangular frame 12 is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm.

[0029] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the pitch P of the skeleton 12 in the pore row 15 is within the range of 100 μm to 1500 μm in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (Y-axis direction).

[0030] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the air pressure loss in the first direction (Y-axis direction) is 30,000 Pa or less. In this embodiment, the pressure loss is defined as the pressure loss when air is circulated along the first direction (Y-axis direction) at a flow velocity of 1.0 m / s. Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the amount of strain when pressurized at 4 MPa is 1.0% or more.

[0031] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, it is preferable that it is made of one of the following metals: aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy.

[0032] The manufacturing method for the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure, which is part of this embodiment, will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0033] (Metal powder preparation process S01) First, metal powder consisting of the metals that make up the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure is prepared. In this embodiment, metal powder consisting of one of the following metals is prepared: aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy. Here, it is preferable that the metal powder has an average particle size based on its volume that is in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm.

[0034] (Laminate molding process S02) Next, using the molding material described above, a molded body having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure is laminated using a binder jet additive manufacturing method. In the binder jet additive manufacturing method, since the metal powder does not melt during the manufacturing process, it is possible to create highly detailed objects. Therefore, even relatively small pores 11 with an equivalent circle diameter of 50 μm to 1500 μm can be molded with high precision.

[0035] (Degreasing process S03) Next, the molded body produced by the binder jet additive manufacturing method is degreased to remove the binder. The degreasing conditions (heating temperature, holding time, etc.) are preferably set appropriately depending on the material of the binder used.

[0036] (Sintering process S04) Next, the degreased molded body is sintered. The sintering conditions (atmosphere, sintering temperature, sintering time, etc.) are preferably set appropriately depending on the material of the metal powder. In the sintering process S04, the three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of this embodiment is manufactured by sintering the metal powders together.

[0037] According to the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure as configured above, the three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure has a porosity N within the range of 50% to 95%, so the porosity N is sufficiently high, allowing fluid to flow through the pores 11 and allowing active material to be introduced into the interior. Furthermore, since the porosity N is 95% or less, strength can be ensured. Furthermore, the porosity N is preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 70% or more. On the other hand, the porosity N is preferably 93% or less, and more preferably 91% or less.

[0038] Furthermore, the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure has a plurality of pores 11 extending in the first direction, and in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, it has a laminated structure in which pore rows 15 in which pores 11 and skeletons 12 are arranged alternately are periodically stacked, so that the fluid pressure loss in the first direction can be greatly reduced. In addition, active material and the like can be easily introduced into the interior of the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure. Furthermore, since the pores 11 and the framework 12 are out of phase in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction, strength can be ensured even if the porosity N is high.

[0039] In the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if the phase difference D between the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction is within the range of π / 4 to 3π / 4, sufficient strength can be ensured even if the porosity N is high. Furthermore, the phase difference D between the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction is more preferably 3π / 10 or more, and more preferably 5π / 16 or more. On the other hand, the phase difference D between the pores 11 and the skeleton 12 in adjacent pore rows 15 in the stacking direction is more preferably 7π / 10 or less, and more preferably 11π / 16 or less.

[0040] In the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, when the equivalent circular diameter of the pores 11 in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm, the porosity N is within the range of 50% to 95%. As a result, there are many pores 11 with relatively small opening diameters, which further reduces the pressure loss of the fluid in the first direction and allows for the introduction of active material into the interior. Furthermore, the equivalent circular diameter of the pores 11 is more preferably 60 μm or more, and more preferably 70 μm or more. On the other hand, the equivalent circular diameter of the pores 11 is more preferably 1400 μm or less, and more preferably 1300 μm or less.

[0041] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if the equivalent circular diameter of the skeleton 12 in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm, the strength of the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure can be ensured even if the porosity N is within the range of 50% to 95%. Furthermore, the equivalent circular diameter of the skeleton 12 is more preferably 60 μm or more, and more preferably 70 μm or more. On the other hand, the equivalent circular diameter of the skeleton 12 is more preferably 180 μm or less, and more preferably 160 μm or less.

[0042] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if the pitch P of the skeleton 12 in the pore row 15 is within the range of 100 μm to 1500 μm in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the strength of the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure can be sufficiently ensured even if the porosity N is within the range of 50% to 95%. Furthermore, the pitch P of the skeleton 12 in the pore row 15 is more preferably 120 μm or more, and more preferably 140 μm or more. On the other hand, the pitch P of the skeleton 12 in the pore row 15 is more preferably 1400 μm or less, and more preferably 1300 μm or less.

[0043] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if the air pressure loss in the first direction is 30,000 Pa or less, the fluid pressure loss in the first direction can be reliably reduced. Furthermore, the air pressure loss in the first direction is more preferably 25,000 Pa or less, and more preferably 20,000 Pa or less.

[0044] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if the amount of strain when pressurized at 4 MPa is 1.0% or more, it will deform in accordance with the shape of the surrounding members during compression, and the contact resistance with other members can be kept sufficiently low.

[0045] Furthermore, in the metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to this embodiment, if it is made of one of the following metals: aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy, then a metal member 10 having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure that meets the required characteristics such as conductivity and corrosion resistance can be provided.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, the pores 11 are described as having pores 11 extending in two directions, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, but the invention is not limited to this. The pores 11 may have pores 11 extending in three directions, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, or the pores 11 may have pores 11 extending in only one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure that is roughly rectangular in shape, it is not limited to this, and metal members having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of other shapes may also be used. [Examples]

[0047] The results of the verification experiments conducted to confirm the effects of the present invention are described below.

[0048] (Examples 1-4 and Comparative Example 5 of the present invention) First, the metal powders consisting of the metals shown in Table 1 were sieved to an average particle size of 30 μm to prepare the molding raw material. Using this molding material, a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure was additively fabricated using a binder jet 3D printer (DigitalMetal DM P2500), and a molded body with a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure was obtained by curing the binder at 250°C.

[0049] The obtained molded body was degreased (heating temperature: 400°C, holding time: 2 hours), and then sintered to produce a metal component having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure. For aluminum powder, the sintering temperature was 650°C and the holding time was 5 hours; for copper powder, the sintering temperature was 1000°C and the holding time was 5 hours; for SUS powder, the sintering temperature was 1300°C and the holding time was 5 hours; and for titanium powder, the sintering temperature was 1200°C and the holding time was 2 hours.

[0050] (Comparative Examples 1-3) First, as raw material powders, titanium hydride powder with an average particle size of 15 μm and pure titanium powder with an average particle size of 10 μm were prepared. Furthermore, methylcellulose was prepared as a water-soluble resin binder, neopentane, hexane, and butane were prepared as organic solvents, glycerin and ethylene glycol were prepared as plasticizers, water was prepared as a solvent, and alkylbenzene sulfonate was prepared as a surfactant.

[0051] The previously prepared titanium hydride powder, methylcellulose as a water-soluble resin binder, neopentane, hexane, and heptane as organic solvents, glycerin and ethylene glycol as plasticizers, and water as a solvent were combined and, if necessary, alkylbenzene sulfonate as a surfactant was added. The mixture was kneaded for 15 minutes to prepare a titanium-containing slurry.

[0052] Using the obtained titanium-containing slurry, a slurry layer was formed on a zirconia plate using the doctor blade method with a blade gap of 0.4 mm. This slurry layer was placed on a zirconia plate and supplied to a high-temperature, high-humidity chamber, where it was foamed under conditions of 40°C, 90% humidity, and held for 20 minutes. After that, it was dried with hot air under conditions of 80°C and held for 15 minutes to produce a green sheet molded body. The green sheet molded body was then degreased and sintered at 1170°C for 10 hours to obtain a titanium porous plate material (metal component).

[0053] (Comparative Example 4) A commercially available fiber sintered body (metal component) with a skeleton diameter of 20 μm, porosity of 60%, and thickness of 500 μm was prepared.

[0054] (Skeleton and stomata) In the metal members having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure of Examples 1-4 and Comparative Example 5 of the present invention, the skeletal diameter, skeletal pitch, and equivalent circular diameter of the pores in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of pore extension (first direction) were measured by X-ray CT measurement (device name: SMX1000, manufactured by SHIMAZU Corporation). After measurement, 3D image data of the metal component was obtained using analysis software (VG studio max 3.2). This 3D image data was then subjected to binarization (using image analysis software WinROOF (Mitani Corporation) - automatic binarization → discriminant analysis method → ​​threshold value: 54-255 - the degeneration operation was performed twice) to separate the skeletal and porosal portions of the metal component, and the equivalent circular diameter of the skeletal structure, the pitch of the skeletal structure, and the equivalent circular diameter of the pores were calculated.

[0055] (porosity) The porosity N of the metal members in Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-5 of the present invention was calculated as follows. N(%) = (1 - (W / (V × D) T ))) × 100 W: Mass of the metal component (g) V: Volume of metal component (cm³) 3 ) D T : True density (g / cm³) of the metal constituting the metal component 3 )

[0056] (Pressure loss) For the metal members of Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-5 of the present invention, the pressure loss in the direction of pore extension was evaluated as follows. A pressure loss measurement plate (80mm square x 15mm thick) with a groove measuring 40mm x 20mm and 0.2mm in depth was fitted with a metal component measuring 40mm x 20mm and 0.2mm thick (Example 1-4 of the present invention and Comparative Example 1-4). In addition, a fluororubber gasket (80mm x 80mm, 0.3mm thick) with a 40mm x 20mm cutout in the center was fitted as the outer frame of the metal component. An 80mm x 80mm metal plate was placed over the top and secured with a screw incorporating a spring, applying a surface pressure of 0.25 MPa.

[0057] A manifold with a depth of 10 mm was installed on both the left and right sides of the metal component of the pressure drop measurement plate. A fluoropolymer (PFA) tube with an inner diameter of φ4 mm was connected to the manifold, and air was flowed through the pressure drop measurement plate. The air flow rate was controlled by a mass flow meter. The pressure difference across the pressure drop measurement plate was measured using a digital micro-differential pressure gauge (GC63 Nagano Keiki). The air flow velocity was set to 1.0 m / s.

[0058] (amount of strain) A sample cut to 20mm x 20mm was placed in an 80mm x 80mm compression measuring jig. It was then placed in a compression measuring device with a capacity of 20kN (Minebea Techno Graph TG-20kNB), and pressure was applied perpendicular to the surface of the metal member. The position coordinates at this time were determined using three linear gauges (Keyence AT-005V) and a controller (AT-V500), and a compressive stress-strain curve (see Figure 5) was obtained to calculate the amount of strain in the metal member at a pressure of 4MPa.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] In Comparative Examples 1-3, which consisted of foamed metal, and Comparative Example 4, which consisted of a fiber sintered body, the pressure loss was significantly increased. This is presumed to be due to the random arrangement of pores. Furthermore, in Comparative Example 5, which has pores extending in the first direction and in which the phase of the pores and the skeleton coincides, the pressure loss was sufficiently low, but the strain amount was small at 0.5%. In contrast, in the present invention examples 1-4, which have pores extending in one direction, the pressure loss was sufficiently low and sufficient strain was ensured. As a result, contact resistance with other components was reduced, and excellent conductivity and heat dissipation were achieved.

[0061] Based on the results of the above verification experiments, it has been confirmed that, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure that has a high porosity, low pressure loss of the fluid passing through it, a large amount of strain under pressure, and low contact resistance with other members. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10 Metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure 11 Stomata 12 skeletons 15 Stomatal rows

Claims

1. A metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure with a porosity in the range of 50% to 95%, The aforementioned three-dimensional regular skeletal structure has a skeleton and a plurality of pores extending in a first direction, In a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction, a layered structure is formed in which rows of pores, in which the pores and the skeleton are arranged alternately, are periodically stacked. A metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure characterized in that the phases of the pores and the skeleton are offset between adjacent pore rows in the stacking direction.

2. A metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the phase shift is within the range of π / 4 to 3π / 4.

3. A metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the pores is within the range of 50 μm to 1500 μm.

4. A metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the equivalent circular diameter of the skeleton is within the range of 50 μm to 200 μm.

5. A metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to claim 1, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the pitch of the skeleton in the pore row is within the range of 100 μm to 1500 μm.

6. The metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the air pressure loss in the first direction is 30,000 Pa or less.

7. A metal member having a three-dimensional regular skeletal structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that the amount of strain when pressurized at 4 MPa is 1.0% or more.

8. A metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of one of the following metals: aluminum or an aluminum alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, titanium or a titanium alloy.

9. A water electrolysis apparatus characterized by comprising electrodes made of a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A fuel cell characterized by comprising an electrode made of a metal member having a three-dimensional ordered skeletal structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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