A novel low Cr-containing Fe-Cr-Co alloy for metallic interconnects in planar intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A newly developed low-Cr containing Fe-Cr-Co alloy, named as FeCro, is evaluated as a candidate material of metallic interconnects for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). This alloy possesses excellent oxidation resistance and adequate electrical conductivity at 750 °C in air, and shows slight Cr deposition in/around La0.72Sr0.18MnO3(LSM) electrode under a harsh accelerating condition of 400 mA cm−2 and 850 °C. The thickness of the oxide scale thermally grown at 750 °C in air for 1000 his less than 1 μm, presenting a double-layered structure with dense (Mn, Cr)3O4 on the top of Cr2O3. The oxidation kinetics at 750 °C obeys the parabolic law with a low rate constant of1.42 × 10−15 g2 cm−4 s−1. The Cr deposition in/around the LSM electrode in the presence of the FeCro alloy is remarkably reduced, compared to the commercial Crofer 22H alloy. The measured area specific resistance (ASR) at 750 °C in air after 1000 h isothermal oxidation is 14 mΩ cm2. It is the unique microstructure of the formed oxide scale that significantly enhances the resistances of the FeCro alloy to oxidation and Cr volatilization.