Characterization of Stainless-Steel Grids Dedicated to Cost-Effective Metal-Supported IT-SOFC

Abstract

Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (MS-SOFCs) have gained significant interest due to their potential advantages (low-cost, tolerance to redox and thermal cycling, robust and manufacturing) over conventional fuel cells. This work focuses on studying corrosion and electrical conductivity of porous metallic supports (stainless steel 316L and FeCrAl alloy) under different temperatures and atmospheres considering physical, chemical and electrical characterizations. Within the studied operating temperature range (500 °C–700 °C), the FeCrAl support resists to corrosion under air and H2. At temperatures higher than 700 °C it forms a layer of alumina. The FeCrAl resistivity generally remains stable under H2 and slowly increases under air. In contrast, the 316L support is only stable at 500 °C under air and at 500 °C and 600 °C under H2. Above these temperatures, the 316L support shows severe corrosion. The resistivity is stable up to 600 °C, increases strongly for the support under air and slightly for the support under H2 with the temperature increase.