The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the core component of the fuel cell stack. Depending on the fuel cell application, lifetime requirements between 10 000- 20 000 hours must be met. The definition of material requirements for fuel cell operation is a big challenge due to the complexity of electrochemical degradation mechanisms and the lack of knowledge about the acceleration factors between different test integration levels. In addition, limited test capacity makes model test development necessary.

Here, we want to present our approach to generate a lifetime prediction model on basis of model stress tests. Defining so called translation factors (structural descriptors) we determine acceleration factors between single cell- stack- and system testing for specific automotive stressors such as Air-Start- Ups and Potential- Cycling. Finally, material requirements are deviated from the life-time predicting model tests.