The present disclosure is directed to a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate may have a frame and a base. The bipolar plate may also have a polymeric coating applied to at least one of the frame and the base. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell. The method may include compressing a frame and a base of the bipolar plate, at least one of the frame and the base has a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating may be an electrical insulator for the electrochemical cell, a seal for sealing one or more zones of the electrochemical cell, and a corrosion protection later of the electrochemical cell.