Characterization of a metallic interconnect operated in stack during 40,000 hours in SOFC mode

An SOFC stack operated for 40,000 hours has been dismantled offering the opportunity to characterize the metallic interconnect. The metal plate was carefully investigated to define the evolution of the surfaces exposed to the air and to the hydrogen electrodes respectively. The observations of the surfaces reveal the stability of the layers applied on top of the rib at the air side while in the bottom of the channels the protective coating (i.e., Co-Mn base spinel oxide) shows large crystals. The cross section allowed to highlight the formation of a rather homogeneous layer of thermal grown oxide between the metal and the coating. The average thickness of the TGO is around 11 μm. The hydrogen side shows a superficial alteration (due to the interaction with the water vapour) changing from the inlet to the outlet where it seems thinner as if the TGO further reacted by forming volatile compounds. The cross section observations confirmed the presence of a porous TGO with a rather high content of manganese in a Cr-Mn spinel oxide. Several spots testifies the zones of contact with the Ni base contacting layer. The cross section corresponding to such zones highlighted the Ni diffusion in the metal substrate.