**6. Conclusions**

In this chapter the basics and advantages of graphite bipolar plates could be presented in connection with current research topics at Eisenhuth regarding the reduction of production costs and the related easier market introduction of RFB. Furthermore the suitability of easy to process thermoplastic elastomers as sealing material in RFB was shown.

It was explained that the proposed targets for material properties are not fully achieved, but that progress in materials research is possible. For example, the electrical conductivity of standard materials for RFB could be optimized by about 75% in recent years.

Options to reduce costs through recycling methods and use of secondary resources were discussed. It could be shown that the substitution of commercial carbon types such as synthetic graphite by secondary materials for composite production is possible.

The differences in the processability of rubber types and thermoplastic elastomers were shown by tests in a correspondingly designed injection mold. The chemical stability of some types of thermoplastic elastomers is tested for VRFB.
