Effects of Hydrogen on the Interactions of Fuel Cell Sealing Glasses with Interconnect Alloys

In situ X-ray diffraction was used to study the interactions of the PNNL G18 fuel cell sealing glasses with the oxides that form on candidate interconnect alloys and with the ebrite alloy. Experiments under 4% hydrogen and air at temperatures up to 1000 °C showed that both sealants react rapidly with alumina and chromia, but not with NiO. The crystallization of the high-CTE phase BaCrO4 was noted for G18 in contact with chromia or ebrite under air, but reducing conditions inhibit the crystallization. The reactions in all cases begin within a few hours at temperatures above 800 °C and go to completion or near completion after ~12 h.