FUEL CELL HAVING AN ENERGY ATTENUATING BEAD

A fuel cell system includes a plurality of stacked bipolar plate assemblies. Each of the plurality of stacked bipolar plate assemblies includes a first subgasket including a first peripheral edge. The first subgasket supports a first membrane electrode assembly (MEA). A second subgasket including a second peripheral edge. The second subgasket supports a second MEA. A bipolar plate is disposed between the first subgasket and the second subgasket. The bipolar plate has a first side defining a first plurality of passages receptive of a cathode fluid, a second side defining a second plurality of passages receptive of an anode fluid, and a plurality of coolant passages defined between the first subgasket and the second subgasket. A seal bead extends around the bipolar plate. The seal bead seals against the first subgasket and the second subgasket. An energy attenuating bead extends about the bipolar plate spaced from the seal bead.