Abstract

Fe-Cr steels are the most promising candidate for interconnect in solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, an effective, dense and well adherent (LaSr)(CrCo)O_3 [LSCC] coating layer was produced onto 430 stainless steel (STS-430) by atmospheric plasma spraying and the oxidation behavior as well as electrical properties of the LSCC coated STS-430 were investigated. A significant oxidation of pristine STS-430 occurred at 800°C in air environment, leading to the formation of Cr_2O_3 and FeCr_2O_4 scale layer up to sim7µm after 1200h, and consequently increased an area specific resistance of 330;mOmegacdotcm2. Although the plasma sprayed LSCC coating contained the characteristic pore network, the coated samples presented apparent advantages in reducing oxidation growth of STS-430, resulting a decrease in oxide scale thickness of sim1µm at 800°C after 1200h. The area specific resistance of the LSCC coated STS-430 was much reduced to sim7;mOmegacdotcm2 after exposure at 800°C for 1200h, compared to that of the pristine STS-403.

• Keywords: Metallic interconnect;Protective coating;Plasma spraying;Oxidation;Area specific resistance;