Injection compression moulding device and injection compression moulding method for producing a bipolar plate and a seal running around the bipolar plate

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection compression moulding device (10) for producing a bipolar plate (20) and a seal (30) running around the bipolar plate (20). The injection compression moulding device (10) comprises a first injection compression moulding part (40) and a second injection compression moulding part (50), wherein the first injection compression moulding part (40) and the second injection compression moulding part (50) can be moved relative to one another. In an injection position of the injection compression moulding device (10), the first injection compression moulding part (40) and the second injection compression moulding part (50) form a first cavity (60) for producing the bipolar plate (20) and a second cavity (70) for producing the seal (30) surrounding the bipolar plate (20). The invention further relates to an injection compression moulding method (100) for producing a bipolar plate (20) and a seal (30) running around the bipolar plate (20) by means of such an injection compression moulding device (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title and injection molding process for one r around the Bi circulating

[0003] The invention relates to an injection-compression molding device for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate according to patent claim 1. The invention further relates to an injection-compression molding method for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate by means of such an injection-compression molding device.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] A single fuel cell, particularly a PEM fuel cell, typically consists of two current collector plates, two catalyzed gas diffusion electrodes, and an ion exchange membrane arranged between these gas diffusion electrodes. The current collector plates contain devices for supplying and distributing the reactants.

[0006] Since the electrical voltage of a single fuel cell is far too low for practical applications, numerous such cells are connected in series. Such a series connection is also called a fuel cell stack.

[0007] In a fuel cell stack, the adjacent current collector plates are replaced by so-called bipolar plates. One surface of the bipolar plates is in electrical contact with the anode of one fuel cell in the fuel cell stack, while the opposite surface is in contact with the cathode of the neighboring fuel cell. The function of the bipolar plates is essentially to conduct current through the fuel cell stack and to separate the reaction gases.

[0008] In the production of bipolar plates or fuel cell stacks, the permanent sealing of the anode and cathode compartments represents a major challenge.

[0009] One way to seal the anode and cathode compartments is to manufacture elastomer seals and place them between the ion exchange membranes and the bipolar plates. The seals are manufactured in a complex manner and inserted into slots in the bipolar plates.

[0010] Another possibility is described in patent EP 1 437 780 A2. The patent discloses a multi-step injection molding process in which a bipolar plate is manufactured from conductive metal sheets and subsequently provided with an elastomer seal. However, the described process involves too many consecutive process steps, particularly individual production steps, and is therefore very time-consuming and costly, thereby increasing the number of error sources.

[0011] Furthermore, the provided elastomer seal lacks adhesion to the bipolar plate, which can lead to leaks in the interface between the elastomer seal and the bipolar plate. During subsequent assembly into a fuel cell stack, these leaks lead to a significant reduction in the efficiency of the fuel cell stack.

[0012] DE 10 2005 012 057 A1 describes a bipolar plate manufactured by compression molding, consisting of a thermosetting epoxy or phenolic resin with a filler content of 60 percent. However, the resulting bipolar plate has a layer thickness that is too thick, resulting in very long flow paths around the edges of the thick bipolar plate. The diameters of the sealing cavities must therefore be made correspondingly large to completely fill them. This creates weld lines, which can also lead to leaks. Furthermore, the temperature resistance of the bipolar plates ends below 100 °C.

[0013] Since bipolar plates are critical functional elements of fuel cell stacks and contribute significantly to the weight, cost and efficiency of the fuel cell stacks, there is a great demand for sealed bipolar plates with low layer thicknesses.

[0014] Disclosure of the invention

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, an injection-compression molding device for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate is presented. The injection-compression molding device comprises a first injection-compression mold part and a second injection-compression mold part, wherein the first injection-compression mold part and the second injection-compression mold part are movable relative to one another.

[0016] In an injection position of the injection-compression device, the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part form a first cavity for producing the bipolar plate and a second cavity for producing the seal surrounding the bipolar plate.

[0017] The injection-compression molding device according to the invention has the significant advantage that, due to the limitation or formation of two cavities, two components can be produced by the same device, thus significantly reducing the time and cost expenditure.

[0018] In particular, the injection-compression molding device according to the invention can be used to produce a bipolar plate with a circumferential, seamless, and adhesive seal. Complex and complicated sequential process steps, in particular individual production steps, for producing and attaching the seal to the bipolar plate as in the prior art are no longer required. The injection-compression molding device according to the invention significantly reduces the number of error sources. In particular, the diameters of the seals can be made correspondingly thin using the injection-compression molding device according to the invention, so that when the bipolar plates are subsequently combined to form a fuel cell stack, very thin arrangements can be created in order to increase the efficiency, in particular the power density per bipolar plate, of the fuel stack as a whole.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the invention are set forth below.

[0020] In order to be able to produce the first component, in particular the thin bipolar plate, by means of the injection-compression molding device according to the invention, the shape of the first cavity preferably has the shape of a thin cuboid, in particular the shape of a thin plate.

[0021] In order to be able to produce the second component, in particular the seal surrounding the bipolar plate, by the same device, the shape of the second cavity is preferably larger than the shape of the first cavity in such a way that the shape of the second cavity has at least the shape of the first cavity and additionally extends the shape of the first cavity by a surrounding frame, in particular a T-shaped frame.

[0022] The temperature resistance of the bipolar plates known from the prior art ends at below 100°C. However, the injection-compression molding device according to the invention is intended to provide a thin bipolar plate with higher temperature resistance. This can be achieved by heat-treating the bipolar plate, in particular by tempering or curing it. For this purpose, the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part can preferably be heated to a temperature between 160°C and 200°C, in particular to a temperature of 180°C.

[0023] The injection-compression molding device according to the invention preferably has a first injection unit for injecting a first injection-compression-capable filler component. The first injection unit is connected to the first cavity via at least one first injection channel. It is conceivable for the first injection unit to be connected to the first cavity via multiple injection channels. The first injection unit is preferably designed to inject a bulk-molding compound plastic, in particular a long glass fiber and / or a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, as the first injection-compression-capable filler component. Such plastics are easy to heat-treat and exhibit very high strength after curing. This is particularly important since the bipolar plate is to be very thin.

[0024] The injection-compression molding device according to the invention preferably has a second injection unit for injecting a second injection-compression-compatible fill component. The second injection unit is connected to the second cavity via at least one second injection channel. It is conceivable for the second injection unit to be connected to the second cavity via multiple injection channels.

[0025] The second injection unit is preferably designed to inject a liquid silicone rubber, in particular an Elastosil plastic and / or a Silopren plastic, as the second injection-compression-moldable filler component. Such plastics have self-adhesive properties and can therefore be easily bonded to the bipolar plate all the way around, and in particular seamlessly. This eliminates the need for the seal to be manufactured in a complicated manner as in the prior art and inserted into the slots of the bipolar plate in subsequent processes. Furthermore, leaks are prevented by the bonding without weld lines.

[0026] To seal the first cavity and the second cavity from the environment in the injection position of the injection-compression molding device and to prevent the initially liquid first and second injection-compression-compatible filler components from flowing out, the first injection-compression molded part preferably has first dipping surfaces, and the second injection-compression molded part preferably has second dipping surfaces. The first dipping surfaces and the second dipping surfaces are displaceable relative to one another parallel to one another and / or in direct contact with one another.

[0027] In the prior art, the channels on the side surfaces of the bipolar plate are formed by complex and complicated follow-up processes such as etching, radiation, surface roughening, or applying a polymer powder. To produce the channels simply and cost-effectively, the inner surface of the first injection-compression molded part and / or the inner surface of the second injection-compression molded part are preferably contoured, at least in some areas, to emboss a fine structure, in particular a channel structure. The contouring is preferably formed by depressions and / or projections.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, an injection-compression molding method for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate by means of the injection-compression molding device according to the invention is presented.

[0029] The injection compression molding process includes the following steps:

[0030] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part to each other from an initial position into an injection position of the injection-compression device, so that the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part form a first cavity for producing the bipolar plate and a second cavity for producing the seal surrounding the bipolar plate,

[0031] - heating the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part to a temperature between 160 °C and 200 °C, in particular to a temperature of 180 °C,

[0032] - Injecting the first injection-compression filler component, in particular the bulk molding compound plastic, into the first cavity,

[0033] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression mold part and the second injection-compression mold part to each other from the injection position into a closed position of the injection-compression device,

[0034] - Embossing and curing the first injection-compression-compatible filling component in the first cavity to form a bipolar plate with a channel structure,

[0035] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part against each other from the closed position to the starting position,

[0036] - Transferring the cured bipolar plate from the first cavity to the second cavity,

[0037] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression molded part and the second injection-compression molded part to each other from the starting position into the injection position, - Injecting the second injection-compression filler component, in particular the liquid silicone rubber, into the second cavity,

[0038] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression mold part and the second injection-compression mold part to each other from the injection position to the closed position,

[0039] - Material-to-material cross-linking of the second injection-compression-moldable filling component in the second cavity to form a circumferential, seamless and adhesive seal around the bipolar plate,

[0040] - Relative movement of the first injection-compression mold part and the second injection-compression mold part against each other from the closed position to the starting position, and

[0041] - Removal of the bipolar plate with the surrounding, seamless and adhesive seal from the second cavity.

[0042] Advantages that are described in detail for the injection-compression molding device for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate according to the first aspect of the invention apply equally to the injection-compression molding method for producing a bipolar plate and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate by means of the injection-compression molding device according to the invention according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0043] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0044] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which schematically show:

[0045] Figure 1 injection-compression device in an injection position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 shows an injection-compression molding device in a closed position for producing a first component according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows an injection-compression molding device in a closed position for producing a second component according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0047] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the method steps for producing a first and second component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows an injection-compression molding device 10 according to the invention, which has a first injection-compression mold part 40, a second injection-compression mold part 50, a first injection unit 61 and a second injection unit 71.

[0049] The first injection-compression mold part 40 and the second injection-compression mold part 50 are movable relative to one another and form a first cavity 60 for producing the bipolar plate 20 and a second cavity 70 for producing the seal 30 surrounding the bipolar plate 20. The shape of the first cavity 60 is plate-shaped. The shape of the second cavity 70 is larger than the shape of the first cavity 60 such that the shape of the second cavity 70 has at least the shape of the first cavity 60 and additionally extends the shape of the first cavity 60 by a surrounding frame, in particular a T-shaped frame.

[0050] The first injection unit 61 is connected to the first planar cavity 60 via at least one first injection channel 63 for injecting a first injection-compression-formable fill component 62. The second injection unit 71 is connected to the second circumferential cavity 70 via at least one second injection channel 73 for injecting a second injection-compression-formable fill component 72.

[0051] The first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are located in an injection position of the injection-compression device 10. In the injection position, the first injection-compression-capable fill component 62 or the second injection-compression-capable fill component 72 is injected into the first cavity 60 or second cavity 70, respectively. The first injection-compression molded part 40 has first dipping surfaces 64, 65. The second injection-compression molded part 50 has second dipping surfaces 74, 75. The first dipping surfaces 64, 65 and the second dipping surfaces 74, 75 are displaceable relative to one another parallel to one another and / or in direct contact with one another.

[0052] By relative displacement of the first immersion surfaces 64, 65 and second immersion surfaces 74, 75 to each other, the first cavity 60 and the second cavity 70 can be reduced or enlarged.

[0053] In the injection position, the first cavity 60 and the second cavity 70 have a larger volume than the ultimately produced bipolar plate or seal. This allows for injection of the first injection-compression-moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression-moldable filler component 72 with less pressure and for compression molding with less warpage.

[0054] The starting position represents the open position of the injection-compression device 10, in which the first immersion surfaces 64, 65 and second immersion surfaces 74, 75 are displaced relatively parallel to one another or are relatively distant from one another and do not touch one another.

[0055] In the injection position, the first immersion surfaces 64, 65 and the second immersion surfaces 74, 75 touch each other directly in a front area, so that the first cavity 60 and the second cavity 70 are just tightly closed.

[0056] The first cavity 60 and the second cavity 70 can be partially or completely filled. Cavity limiters can be provided for this purpose.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows the injection-compression molding device 10 according to the invention for producing a first component, in particular a thin structured bipolar plate 20.

[0058] To compress and emboss the first injection-compression-moldable fill component 62, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved from the injection position to a closed position by a closing force of the injection-compression device 10. In this process, the first plunge surfaces 64, 65 and the second plunge surfaces 74, 65 are moved relative to one another or toward one another, with them being in direct contact throughout the entire closing movement.

[0059] The force for opening and closing the injection-compression device 10, in particular the force for the relative movement of the first injection-compression mold part 40 and the second injection-compression mold part 50 to one another, can be caused by a pneumatic, hydraulic and / or electric drive.

[0060] The first injection-compression-capable filling component 62 is a bulk molding compound plastic, in particular a long glass fiber and / or a carbon fiber reinforced plastic, which was previously injected in the liquid state in the injection position by the first injection unit 61 via the at least one first injection channel 63 into the first cavity 60.

[0061] Bipolar plates typically have a fine structure on one or both sides, particularly fine open and / or closed channels, along or through which a reaction fluid can flow. Channels are embedded, particularly in the side of the bipolar plate facing the electrodes. The finer the channel structure, the higher the efficiency of the bipolar plate. Furthermore, a fine channel structure can prevent the reaction fluid from adhering to the surface of the bipolar plate.

[0062] In order to be able to produce and emboss the bipolar plate 20 including the channels simultaneously in one step, the first injection-compression molded part 40 has an inner surface 66, and the second injection-compression molded part 50 has an inner surface 76, which are contoured in certain areas. The contouring is formed by depressions and projections to enable embossing of the fine structure, in particular the channel structure. The depressions and projections can, for example, have an average depth T of 5 nm < T < 1 pm.

[0063] The first injection-compression-moldable fill component 62 is compacted and embossed in the first cavity 60 to form a bipolar plate 20. In particular, conformal cooling, also known as "conformal cooling," takes place in the first flat cavity 60. The first injection-compression-moldable fill component 62 is cooled to the contour as closely as possible in order to achieve shorter cycle times while simultaneously achieving higher quality. This conformal cooling significantly increases the temperature resistance and strength of the bipolar plate 20 after curing.

[0064] To enable liquefaction of the first injection-compression moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72 and subsequent near-contour temperature control, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 can be heated to a temperature between 160°C and 200°C, in particular to a temperature of 180°C. The heating of the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 can be achieved, for example, by a heating device, contact heating, hot air, laser radiation, infrared radiation, or ultrasound.

[0065] The first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 can have cooling channels for dissipating the heat or can be connected to a cooling system so that the curing of the injection-compression-capable filling component 62, 72 can be accelerated.

[0066] It is conceivable that the liquefaction of the first injection-compression moldable filling component 62 and the second injection-compression moldable filling component 72 takes place externally and not by heating the first injection-compression mold part 40 and the second injection-compression mold part 50.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows the injection-compression molding device 10 according to the invention for producing a second component, in particular a seamless and adhesive seal 30 surrounding the bipolar plate 20.

[0068] After the first injection-compression-moldable fill component 62 has been tempered and cured in the first cavity 60 to form the bipolar plate 20, the injection-compression molding device 10 is opened again. The bipolar plate 20 is removed from the first cavity 60 and transferred into the second cavity 70. The first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are then returned to the injection position for injecting the second injection-compression-moldable fill component 72. The transfer of the bipolar plate 20 can be performed, for example, by a gripping device comprising an automated robotic system with a flexible gripper arm to hold the bipolar plate 20 or to move it in the X, Y, and Z directions. For this purpose, the gripping device can be connected to a control device having compression-mold software by means of which the gripping device can be programmed.As a result, the cured bipolar plate can be quickly and easily transferred from the first cavity 60 into the second cavity 70 and, upon completion, removed from the second cavity 70. The second injection-compression-compatible filler component 72 is a liquid silicone rubber, in particular an Elastosil plastic and / or a Silopren plastic, which is injected in the liquid state into the second cavity 70 by the second injection unit 71 via the at least one second injection channel 73.

[0069] After injection, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved from the injection position back to the closed position by a closing force of the injection-compression device 10 to compress the second injection-compression-compatible fill component 72. In this process, the first plunge surfaces 64, 65 and the second plunge surfaces 74, 65 are moved relative to one another or toward one another, with them being in direct contact throughout the entire closing movement.

[0070] The first injection-compression-moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression-moldable filler component 72 cure at the same temperature of 180°C. Due to the active surfaces of the two filler components 62, 72, they form a material-to-material bond, so that the second injection-compression-moldable filler component 72 is formed into a circumferential, seamless, and adhesive seal 30 around the bipolar plate. Due to the material-to-material bond between the first injection-compression-moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression-moldable filler component 72, no weld lines are formed, thus preventing leaks. The circumferential and adhesive seal 30 can be viewed as a sealing lip structure, but without weld lines, ensuring tightness even at low contact pressure. This allows, in particular, the diameter of the seal to be designed accordingly thin.In other words, the first injection-compression moldable filler component 62, in particular the bulk molding compound plastic, and the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72, in particular the liquid silicone rubber plastic, are melted by the first injection-compression molding part 40 and the second injection-compression molding part 50, which are heated to 180°C, injected into the first cavity 60 and the second cavity 70, respectively, compressed under pressure, and embossed, so that the first injection-compression moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72 are cross-linked in a material-to-material ratio, with no weld lines forming. The cross-linking occurs in particular at the heated boundary layers or surfaces of the first injection-compression moldable filler component 62 and the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72.

[0071] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating the method steps for producing a bipolar plate 20 and a seal surrounding the bipolar plate by means of an injection-compression molding device 10 according to the invention.

[0072] In the first step S1, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved relative to one another from a starting position of the injection-compression device 10 into an injection position, so that the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 form a first cavity 60 for producing the bipolar plate 20 and a second cavity 70 for producing the seal 30 surrounding the bipolar plate 20. In the second step S2, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are heated to a temperature between 160°C and 200°C, in particular to a temperature of 180°C. After the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 have heated up, the first injection-compression-capable filling component 62, in particular the bulk-molding compound plastic, is injected into the first cavity 60 in the third step S3.Subsequently, in step S4, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved relative to one another from the injection position into the closed position. In the closed position, the first injection-compression-capable filler component 62 is pressed into a bipolar plate 20 with a channel structure in the first cavity 60 and cured S5. After the bipolar plate 20 has cured, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved relative to one another from the closed position into the starting position in order to open the injection-compression device 10 S6. In the open position of the injection-compression device 10, the bipolar plate 20 is folded over from the first cavity 60 into the second cavity 70 S7. Subsequently, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved relative to one another again from the starting position into the injection position S8.In the injection position, in the ninth step S9, the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72, in particular the liquid silicone rubber, is injected into the second cavity 70. Subsequently, in the tenth step S10, the first injection-compression molded part 40 and the second injection-compression molded part 50 are moved relative to one another from the injection position into the closed position. In the closed position, the second injection-compression moldable filler component 72 is materially cross-linked S11 in the second cavity 70 to form a circumferential, seamless and adhesive seal 30 around the bipolar plate 20.

[0073] Subsequently, the first injection-compression mold part 40 and the second injection-compression mold part 50 are moved relative to each other from the closed position to the starting position to open the injection-compression device 10 S12. In the final step S13, the bipolar plate 20 with the circumferential, seamless, and adhesive seal 30 is removed from the second cavity 70.

Claims

Claims 1. Injection-compression molding device (10) for producing a bipolar plate (20) and a seal (30) surrounding the bipolar plate (20), the injection-compression molding device (10) comprising a first injection-compression mold part (40) and a second injection-compression mold part (50), wherein the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) are movable relative to one another, wherein the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) form, in an injection position of the injection-compression molding device (10), a first cavity (60) for producing the bipolar plate (20) and a second cavity (70) for producing the seal (30) surrounding the bipolar plate (20).

2. Injection-compression molding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the first cavity (60) has the shape of a thin cuboid, in particular the shape of a thin plate.

3. Injection-compression device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shape of the second cavity (70) is larger than the shape of the first cavity (60) in such a way that the shape of the second cavity (70) has at least the shape of the first cavity (60) and additionally extends the shape of the first cavity (60) by a circumferential frame, in particular a T-shaped frame.

4. Injection-compression molding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) can be heated to a temperature between 160 °C and 200 °C, in particular to a temperature of 180 °C.

5. Injection-compression device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection-compression device (10) has a first injection unit (61) for injecting a first injection-compression-capable filling component (62), wherein the first injection unit (61) is connected to the first cavity (60) via at least one first injection channel (63).

6. Injection-compression device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first injection unit (61) is designed to inject a bulk-molding compound plastic, in particular a long glass fiber and / or a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, as the first injection-compression-capable filling component (62).

7. Injection-compression device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection-compression device (10) has a second injection unit (71) for injecting a second injection-compression-capable filling component (72), wherein the second injection unit (71) is connected to the second circumferential cavity (70) via at least one second injection channel (73).

8. Injection-compression device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second injection unit (71) is designed to inject a liquid silicone rubber plastic, in particular an Elastosil plastic and / or a Silopren plastic, as the second injection-compression-capable filling component (72).

9. Injection-compression device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first injection-compression mold part (40) has first dipping surfaces (64, 65) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) has second dipping surfaces (74, 65), wherein the first dipping surfaces (64, 65) and the second dipping surfaces (74, 75) are displaceable relative to one another parallel to one another and / or in direct contact with one another.

10. Injection-compression device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (66) of the first injection-compression molded part (40) and / or the inner surface (76) of the second injection-compression molded part (50) are contoured at least in regions for embossing a fine structure, in particular a channel structure.

11. Injection-compression molding device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the contouring is formed by depressions and / or projections.

12. Injection-compression molding method (100) for producing a bipolar plate (20) and a seal (30) surrounding the bipolar plate (20) by means of an injection-compression molding device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the injection-compression molding method (100) comprises the steps: Relative movement (S1) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) to one another from a starting position into an injection position of the injection-compression device (10), so that the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) form a first cavity (60) for producing the bipolar plate (20) and a second cavity (70) for producing the seal (30) surrounding the bipolar plate (20), Heating (S2) the first injection-compression molded part (40) and the second injection-compression molded part (50) to a temperature between 160 °C and 200 °C, in particular to a temperature of 180 °C, Injecting (S3) the first injection-compression filler component (62), in particular the bulk molding compound plastic, into the first cavity (60), Relative movement (S4) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) to each other from the injection position into a closed position of the injection-compression device (10), Embossing (S5) and curing the first injection-compression-capable filling component (62) in the first cavity (60) to form a bipolar plate (20) with a channel structure, Relative movement (S6) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) against each other from the closed position to the starting position, Transferring (S7) the cured bipolar plate (20) from the first cavity (60) into the second cavity (70), Relative movement (S8) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) from the starting position into the injection position, Injecting (S9) the second injection-compression-moldable filling component (62), in particular the liquid silicone rubber plastic, into the second cavity (70), Relative movement (S10) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) to each other from the injection position into the closed position, Materially crosslinking the second injection-compression-moldable filling component (62) in the second cavity (70) to form a circumferential, seamless and adhesive seal (30) around the bipolar plate (20), Relative movement (S12) of the first injection-compression mold part (40) and the second injection-compression mold part (50) against each other from the closed position to the starting position, and Removing (13) the bipolar plate (20) with the circumferential, seamless and adhesive seal (30) from the second cavity (70)

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