The effect of water vapor containing hydrogenous atmospheres on the microstructure and tendency to brittle fracture of anode materials of YSZ–NiO(Ni) system

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to estimate the tendency to brittle fracture of the YSZ–NiO(Ni) anode cermet in a hydrogenous environment with various concentrations of water vapor. Design/methodology/approach: YSZ–NiO ceramic plates were fabricated by sintering in an argon atmosphere. The treatment of material was performed in a hydrogenous environment with various concentrations of water vapor. The strength test was performed under three-point bending at 20°C in air. The microstructure and morphology of the fracture surface of the specimens were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) Carl Zeiss EVO-40XVP. The chemical composition was determined using an INCA ENERGY 350 spectrometer. Microhardness measurements were performed on a NOVOTEST TC-MKB1 microhardness tester. The configuration of the imprints and cracks formed was studied on an optical microscope Neophot-21. The porosity of the materials was investigated by analysing the SEM micrographs using the image processing technique. Findings: Peculiarities of changes in the microstructure, the morphology of specimens fracture surface, physical and mechanical characteristics of YSZ–NiO(Ni) material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes of different preconditioning modes aged under various partial pressures of water vapor in a hydrogenous environment are found. Research limitations/implications: To study the actual behaviour of the YSZ–NiO(Ni) anode material in the operating environment, it is necessary to evaluate its strength, Young’s modulus, microhardness, and fracture toughness by changing with a certain step the partial pressure of water vapor in the whole range noted in this work. Practical implications: Based on the developed approach to assessing the propensity to brittle fracture of the formed cermet microstructure, it is possible to obtain an anode material that will provide the necessary functional properties of a SOFC. Originality/value: An approach to estimating the propensity to brittle fracture of a formed cermet structure is proposed based on the microhardness and fracture toughness characteristics obtained by the Vickers indentation method.