Method for producing a bipolar plate

A method for producing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing two half-plates made of sheet metal which result in the bipolar plate when placed over one another,
• wherein the two half-plates are profiled by forming the sheet metal, and
• wherein, by virtue of the profiling, the two half-plates placed over one another come into contact at at least one contact region and do not come into contact at at least one noncontact region;
• (ii) carrying out at least one first cut in the noncontact region of at least one half-plate before the half-plates are placed onto one another and connected;
• (iii) placing the two half-plates onto one another and connecting them;
• and
• (iv) carrying out at least one second cut in the contact region through both half-plates after they have been placed onto one another, wherein the at least one second cut in the contact region cuts out a port disposed through both half-plates;
• wherein step (iv) is carried out after the two half-plates have been connected to each other by welding and/or by adhesive bonding and/or by brazing;
• wherein the two half-plates are pressed onto one another during connection, wherein pressure is applied at at least one pressing region which is at least partially severed by the second cut to form the port.