Abstract: A bipolar plate and method for producing a bipolar plate for an electrochemical system, comprising a core layer, which comprises a steel material and a metal anti-corrosion layer that protects the core layer from corrosion. The anti-corrosion layer comprises a plurality of anti-corrosion layer coats that comprise a substantially identical anti-corrosion material and are arranged one on top of the other. A material density of the anti-corrosion material within an anti-corrosion layer coat has a gradient as the distance from the core layer increases.

Abstract: A metal separator plate for an electrochemical system, having at least a first laser-surface-treated region with a first passivation layer and a second region with a native or reconstructed passivation layer, wherein, as a result of the laser surface treatment, the first passivation layer has: a charge carrier density that is increased by at least 10%, and a surface area that is no more than 5% larger in relation to the native or reconstructed passivation layer. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing and characterizing such a separator plate.