A novel method to determine the particle–particle fracture of yttria stabilized zirconia

A novel method is presented to determine the particle–particle fracture of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which is crucial in predicting the thermal cycle properties of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The method is demonstrated by determining the Weibull and normal distribution parameters via resistivity variation of YSZ–Al2O3 composites undergoing thermal cycle processes. A straightforward approach is developed to relate YSZ mechanical property with its conductivity based on fracture statistics distributions and percolation theory. By the measurement of the conductivity change in thermal cycles, the fracture between YSZ particles caused by thermal stress can be statistically “counted”, approaching these parameters with a statistical principle, and offering a possible way to understand particle–particle fracture in microscale, and to predict the effect of microstructure change using electric signals. Finally, this method offers a potential to precisely forecast the performance degradation in the different thermal cycle processes for SOFC components such as doped ceria electrolytes and perovskite electrodes.

► A simple approach is proposed to determine the thermal stress of YSZ.
► Particle–particle fracture of YSZ is determined using electric signals.
►  The method can be used to obtain mechanical properties of other SOFC components.
► Fracture can be predicted for cycle with various temperature ranges.