Method for manufacturing fuel cell metallic separator

Abstract

A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.

1 . A fuel cell metallic separator comprising:
 a metallic plate having alternatively ridges and grooves in a cross section which are formed by pressing, each of the ridge portions having a flattened surface which is brought into contact with a membrane electrode assembly, the flattened surface being formed by removing a part of the ridged portion after pressing.   
     
     
         2 . A fuel cell metallic separator as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a removed amount of the surface of the ridged portion is 3 μm or larger. 
     
     
         3 . A fuel cell comprising:
 a membrane electrode assembly; and   a metallic separator including a metallic plate having alternatively ridges and grooves in a cross section which are formed by pressing, each of the ridge portions having a flattened surface which is brought into contact with the membrane electrode assembly, the flattened surface being formed by removing a part of the ridged portion after pressing.   
     
     
         4 . A fuel cell metallic separator formed by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions and removing a surface of the metallic material after rolling by an amount corresponding to 2% or more of a thickness of the metallic material after rolling so that the conductive inclusions are allowed to protrude from the surface of the metallic material after rolling. 
     
     
         5 . A fuel cell metallic separator as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the surface of the metallic material is applied with a passivation treatment.