properties which are required in bipolar plate. It is also interest-ing to note that with increasing the carbon black content, bulk density decreases but other properties increases. It is found that carbon black content between 20 and 25vol% is acceptable in achieving the maximum properties of the composites. Thus, by controlling the ratio of reinforcing constituents in appropriate proportion i.e. of natural graphite, carbon fiber, carbon black and novolac type phenolic resin, gives the desired properties of bipolar plates with bulk density ∼1.85gcm−3, electrical
conductivity >150Scm−1, shore hardness >65, bending
strength >60MPa, modulus >10GPa and compressive strength >70MPa, respectively. I.V characteristics of a cell with bipolar plates with above combination of reinforcing con-stituents are found to be adequate as per the US-DOE target for the application in PEM fuel cell.