PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CROFER 22 APU FERRITIC STEEL APPLIED IN SOFC INTERCONNECTS

Abstract

The paper presents the results of investigations of the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the Crofer 22 APU steel designed for application in metallic interconnects forming the key components of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Microstructural and hardness studies of non-metallic inclusions and the matrix were carried out. Based on compression tests of raw Crofer 22 APU and the steel after 600 hrs of cyclic oxidation in air at 800°C , the composition of non-metallic inclusions and their influence on the strength properties of the steel were determined.