Method and composition for bonding and sealing fuel cell components

A method for forming a disassembleable fuel cell assembly includes the steps of (a) forming at least two fuel cell assemblies, each of the fuel cells assemblies formed by a method including the steps of (i) providing a membrane electrode assemble and two bipolar plates; (ii) applying a first portion of a curable silicone composition to internal mating surfaces of at least one of the bipolar plates; (iii) aligning the membrane electrode assembly between the two bipolar plates; (iv) compressing the bipolar so that the first portion of the silicone composition abuts the adjacent internal mating surface of the adjacent bipolar plate; (v) curing the first portion of the silicone composition to adhesively bond the adjacent internal mating surfaces; and (vi) further compressing the bipolar plates to compress the cured first portion of the silicone composition to mechanically seal the adjacent mating surfaces against surface imperfections and/or leak paths; (vii) applying a second portion of the curable silicone composition to the outermost mating surfaces of at least one of the bipolar plates; (viii) aligning an additional bipolar plate with the outermost mating surfaces; (ix) curing the second portion of the curable silicone composition without adhering to the mating surface of the additional bipolar plate; and (b) aligning the at least two fuel cell assemblies so that the externally disposed cured silicone composition abuts both assemblies; and (c) compressing the fuel cell assemblies to provide a repairable seal disposed between the two fuel cell assemblies.