Dual atmosphere study of the K41X stainless steel for interconnect application in high temperature water vapour electrolysis

High temperature water vapour electrolysis (HTE) is one of the most efficient technologies for mass hydrogen production. A major technical difficulty related to high temperature water vapour electrolysis is the development of interconnects working efficiently for a long period. Working temperature of 800 °C enables the use of metallic materials as interconnects. High temperature corrosion behaviour and electrical conductivity of a commercial stainless steel, K41X (AISI 441), were tested in HTE dual atmosphere (95%O2-5%H20/10%H2-90%H2O) at 800 °C. The alloy exhibits a very good oxidation resistance compared to single atmosphere tests. However, a supplied electrical current significantly changes the nature of the oxides that form during the test. A very good Area Specific Resistance (ASR) parameter was measured in dual atmosphere, much lower than the values obtained in single atmosphere tests.