INVESTIGATIONS OF METALLIC ALLOYS FOR USE AS INTERCONNECTS IN SOLID OXIDE FUEL-CELL STACKS

Some high-temperature alloys have been investigated in order to determ ine whether they are suitable as metallic interconnect materials in so lid oxide fuel cell stacks. The requirements for such alloys are formu lated. Thermal dilatometry and oxidation tests, as well as theoretical calculations of the stresses that are induced by differences in therm al expansion of the individual materials, have been performed. The res ults show that a chromium-rich alloy, with dispersions of fine Y2O3 pa rticles, perform best among the samples investigated. Improvements are still needed in order to make the alloy fully applicable in a solid o xide fuel cell stack. Some suggestions for improvements are put forwar d.