Compatibility between AISI441 alloy interconnect and representative seal glasses in solid oxide fuel/electrolyzer cells

AISI441 alloy, an advanced ferritic stainless steel, is considered as a promising metallic interconnect material for solid oxide fuel/electrolyzer cells. In this work, the compatibility between the AISI441 alloy and four representative seal glasses (YSO-4, G18, SABS-0, and SCAN2) has been studied. The AISI441/glass couples are thermally treated in both air and H2/H2O atmospheres at 800 °C for up to 500 h. Interfacial morphology shows that the YSO-4 glass and the SCAN2 glass have relatively high reaction tendency with the AISI441 alloy; the G18 glass devitrifies extensively during the thermal treatment; and the SABS-0 glass shows very little interaction or devitrification. In the H2/H2O atmosphere, the AISI441 alloy has less interaction with the sealing glasses compared with the air condition. Different phases from interfacial reaction and devitrification have been identified for each of the sealing glasses. Diffusion, devitrification, and reaction are the events occurring at the interface. Overall, the AISI441/SABS-0 glass couple shows the least interfacial reaction and devitrification and the best thermal stability.