Abstract
Acceptor doped LaCrO3 materials have been used for interconnects in SOFCs for about 20 years owing to their high conductivity and thermodynamic stability. These materials present fabrication challenges especially related to sinterability. This paper reports on investigations of the effect of processing conditions on the microstructure and properties of doped LaCrO3 ceramics. LaCrO3 was green formed by tape casting as well as by uniaxial die pressing. Samples were densified by pressureless sintering in air. Liquid formers were added as sintering aids. Samples were also hot pressed in inert atmosphere in graphite dies. Microstructural examination of the sintered ceramics revealed that in reducing conditions the material reacts with graphite forming complex carbide phases. Such decompositions were found to affect the mechanical stability by propagating microcracks in order to relieve stresses arising from volume changes associated with phase reconstitution. The electrical conductivity of sintered compacts is reported. Conditions for obtaining high densities and thermal and mechanical stability against both structural and chemical phase changes are discussed.
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