FUEL CELL INTERCONNECTOR AND METHOD FOR MAKING A FUEL CELL INTERCONNECTOR

摘要

An interconnector for a solid oxide fuel cell is manufactured by single-press compacting a powder blend to form a green interconnector with a desired shape of a final interconnector. The powder blend includes chromium and iron, and may include an organic lubricant. At least 50 wt % or more of an iron portion of the powder blend comprises iron particles smaller than 45 um. The green interconnector is then sintered and oxidized to form the final interconnector. The oxidation step occurs in a continuous flow furnace in which a controlled atmosphere (e.g., humidified air) is fed into the furnace in the travel direction of the interconnector. The final interconnector comprises at least 90 wt % chromium, at least 3 wt % iron, and less than 0.2 wt % nitrogen. An average density within a flow field of the final interconnector may be less than 6.75 g/cc.

主权项

1. A method of oxidizing a porous component comprising at least 20 weight % chromium, the method comprising:
oxidizing the component in a furnace so as to expose the component to an oxidation temperature range for a predetermined time period; and during said oxidizing, feeding a controlled atmosphere into the furnace, wherein the controlled atmosphere comprises:
at least 30 volume % nitrogen,at least 10 volume % oxygen, andat least 10 volume % water vapor, wherein said oxidizing increases a nitrogen content of the porous component by less than 0.1 weight %.