NOVELTY - At least one metal alloy component which is exposed to the chemical environment during cell operation is treated with an electrical current while contacting an electrolyte, prior to incorporating the component in the cell. The component contains nickel in excess of that present in 316L stainless steel.    USE - The method is used for manufacturing an electrochemical cell e.g. fuel cell such as PEM fuel cell, alkaline fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, a direct methanol fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell or a solid oxide fuel cell (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The interfacial resistance of the surface of the metal alloy component is reduced.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell assembly in which at least one component which is exposed to the chemical environment during cell operation contains a metal alloy comprises: treating the alloy surface prior to incorporation in the assembly with an electrical current while contacting an electrolyte; and incorporating the treated component in the assembly. The alloy contains nickel in excess of that present in 316L stainless steel.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (i) an electrochemical cell including bipolar plates, separator plates, flow field plates and/or current collecting plates or screens, at least one of which comprises anodically treated alloy containing an excess of 14 % nickel and having reduced interfacial resistance;    (ii) a fuel cell component formed with fluid flow channels, the component comprising an alloy containing an excess of 14 % w/w nickel and which, prior to incorporation in the fuel cell, has been treated with an electrical current while in contact with an electrolyte to reduce the interfacial resistance associated with the surface;    (iii) a fuel cell stack comprising: fuel cell units, each of which contains a proton-exchange membrane separating the cell into anolyte and catholyte chambers and has an anode and a cathode on opposite sides; a separator plate, flow field plate or bipolar plate between adjacent cell units; current collecting device comprising a pair of plates or screens; a device for feeding fuel to the anolyte chambers of the stack; and a device for feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the catholyte chambers of the stack. At least one of the plates is an alloy containing in excess of 14 % by weight e.g., in excess of 15 % by weight, nickel with at least one surface which has been treated with an electrical current while contacted by an electrolyte under conditions which reduce the interfacial resistance associated with the surface.