Bipolar plates (BPs) are key components of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells mainly employed in hydrogen-powered electric vehicles. Here, a reliable and detailed experimental method to prepare graphite-epoxy composites suitable for manufacturing BPs is reported. Dry and wet mixing procedures were compared and a simple composition was optimized, with regard to electrical conductivity. The adoption of wet mixing of the components and the choice of the conductive filler were the main factors that contributed to the achievement of good electrical and mechanical properties. The addition of a small percentage of carbon black as a secondary filler was also advantageous. The effects of molding parameters (pressure, temperature and time) on a fixed-composition graphite-epoxy composite were modeled using a Design Of Experiments approach, which provided valuable information for future improvements. Conductivity values well above the US DOE requirements were obtained.

双极板（BPs）是主要用于氢动力电动汽车的质子交换膜燃料电池的关键组件。在此，报道了一种可靠且详细的实验方法来制备适用于制造BP的石墨-环氧复合材料。比较了干法和湿法混合程序，并就电导率优化了简单的组成。湿混合成分的采用和导电填料的选择是实现良好的电气和机械性能的主要因素。加入少量的炭黑作为辅助填料也是有利的。使用实验设计模拟了成型参数（压力，温度和时间）对固定组成的石墨-环氧复合材料的影响方法，为将来的改进提供了有价值的信息。获得了远高于美国能源部要求的电导率值。