Sintering graphitized carbon mechanism

Since, under economically acceptable conditions, carbon neither melts nor is sintered, production has to be carried out in such a way that a molded article is formed suitable for its intended application, which only needs further mechanical working. The raw materials, solids and binders are thus mixed, molded into the required form, fired to the carbon article and, if required, finally graphitized. 

To determine the cause of GDL hydrophobicity loss and associated degradation mechanism(s), changes in the exposed carbon phases (graphite fibers and carbon particles), the fluoropolymer coating (PTFE, EEP, etc.) overlaying the carbon surfaces, and the bonding interface between the sintered fluoropolymer particles and carbon surfaces must be studied. All three of these aspects play at least some role in GDL and MPL hydrophobicity losses, and delineation of the relative importance of each surface or interface is a central theme of this work. The relative... 

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