Joint Strength of a Braze Sealant with Metallic Interconnect in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Mechanical behavior of a braze sealant/metallic interconnect joint in SOFC is investigated. Sandwich-like joint specimens are made to determine the shear and tensile joint strength at room temperature (RT) and 750 C. For tensile loading mode, the joint strength at RT and 750 C is of 30.63 3.2 MPa and 13.43 0.99 MPa, respectively. For shear loading mode, the joint strength at RT and 750 C is of 40.02 2.88 MPa and 10.06 0.36 MPa, respectively. Regardless of testing temperature, fracture of the tensile specimens occurs at the interface between the braze sealant and the Cr₂O₃oxide layer and occasionally within the Cr₂O₃oxide layer. When the testing temperature of the shear specimens is increased from RT to 750 C, the location of rupture changes from the interface between the braze sealant and interconnect to the interface between the braze sealant and the Cr₂O₃oxide layer.