Degradation of solid oxide fuel cell metallic interconnects in fuels containing sulfur

Hydrogen is the main fuel for all types of fuel cells except direct methanol fuel cells. Hydrogen can be generated from all manner of fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, diesel, gasoline, other hydrocarbons, and oxygenates (e.g., methanol, ethanol, butanol, etc.). Impurities in the fuel can cause significant performance problems and sulfur, in particular, can decrease the cell performance of fuel cells, including solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). In the SOFC, the high (800-1000°C) operating temperature yields advantages (e.g., internal fuel reforming) and disadvantages (e.g., material selection and degradation problems). Significant progress in reducing the operating temperature of the SOFC from ~1000 ºC to ~750 ºC may allow less expensive metallic materials to be used for interconnects and as balance of plant (BOP) materials. This paper provides insight on the material performance of nickel, ferritic steels, and nickel-based alloys in fuels containing sulfur, primarily in the form of H2S, and seeks to quantify the extent of possible degradation due to sulfur in the gas stream

Microstructural Stability of 9-12 Cr Steels at Elevated Temperatures

The objective of this report is to explore new substitutional solute solution (Cu, Co) and precipitate (TiC) hardening mechanisms for improved strength of 9-12 Cr martensitic steels

Development of chromium-tungsten alloys

Cr alloys containing 0-30 weight % W were investigated for their high temperature strength and oxidation resistance. These experimental alloys are intended for use in elevated temperature applications. Alloys were melted in a water-cooled, copper-hearth arc furnace. Microstructure of the alloys was studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy. Meyer and Vickers hardness tests were utilized for measuring room temperature strength. A hot hardness tester with a spherical ruby indenter was used to study the strength of these materials between 800ºC and 1200ºC. A parabolic relationship was observed between load and indent size at all temperatures. On the other hand, decrease in hardness of the alloys with temperature was linear up to 1200ºC

Thermodynamics of concentrated solid solution alloys

This paper reviews the three main approaches for predicting the formation of concentrated solid solution alloys (CSSA) and for modeling their thermodynamic properties, in particular, utilizing the methodologies of empirical thermo-physical parameters, CALPHAD method, and first-principles calculations combined with hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics (MC/MD) simulations. In order to speed up CSSA development, a variety of empirical parameters based on Hume-Rothery rules have been developed. Herein, these parameters have been systematically and critically evaluated for their efficiency in predicting solid solution formation. The phase stability of representative CSSA systems is then illustrated from the perspectives of phase diagrams and nucleation driving force plots of the σ phase using CALPHAD method. The temperature-dependent total entropies of the FCC, BCC, HCP, and σ phases in equimolar compositions of various systems are presented next, followed by the thermodynamic properties of mixing of the BCC phase in Al-containing and Ti-containing refractory metal systems. First-principles calculations on model FCC, BCC and HCP CSSA reveal the presence of both positive and negative vibrational entropies of mixing, while the calculated electronic entropies of mixing are negligible. Temperature dependent configurational entropy is determined from the atomic structures obtained from MC/MD simulations. Current status and challenges in using these methodologies as they pertain to thermodynamic property analysis and CSSA design are discussed

Microstructure of thin-wall ductile iron castings

Step plate castings with section thicknesses of 1.5 mm to 6 mm and individual (single) castings with section thicknesses of 2 mm to 6 mm were produced using a ductile iron chemistry. Microstructures of these thin wall ductal iron castings were characterized quantitatively using an image analyzer. Matrix structure (amount of pearlite, ferrite, and massive carbides) and graphite structure (volume fraction, nodule size, nodule content, and nodularity) were investigated as a function of section thickness. Pearlite content, nodule count, and nodularity increased with decreasing section thickness, whereas the nodule size decreased. Nodule content exceeded 2000 nodules per mm{sup 2} at the thinnest sections. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the effect of casting parameters on the microstructure

Effect of Molybdenum on the Corrosion Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys CoCrFeNi 2

The corrosion behavior of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) CoCrFeNi2 and CoCrFeNi2Mo0.25 was investigated in 3.5 wt. percent sodium chloride (NaCl) at 25°C by electrochemical methods. Their corrosion parameters were compared to those of HASTELLOY® C-276 (UNS N10276) and stainless steel 316L (UNS 31600) to assess the suitability of HEAs for potential industrial applications in NaCl simulating seawater type environments. The corrosion rates were calculated using corrosion current determined from electrochemical experiments for each of the alloys. In addition, potentiodynamic polarization measurements can indicate active, passive, and transpassive behavior of the metal as well as potential susceptibility to pitting corrosion. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) can confirm the alloy susceptibility to pitting corrosion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) elucidates the corrosion mechanism under studied conditions. The results of the electrochemical experiments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the corroded surfaces revealed general corrosion on alloy CoCrFeNi2Mo0.25 and HASTELLOY C-276 and pitting corrosion on alloy CoCrFeNi2 and stainless steel 316L

EROSIVE WEAR OF SELECTED MATERIALS FOR FOSSIL ENERGY APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT A number of materials have been evaluated to determine their erosion resistance for fossil energy applications. This is part of a larger program to study wear and corrosion at Albany Research Center. This paper will present the results for some of these materials, including FeAl, FeAl cermets, WC-Co cemented carbides, Si 3 N 4 -MoSi 2 , Si 3 N 4 , Stellite 6B, white cast irons and 440C steel. Trends in erosion rates due to material properties and erosive conditions will be presented. FeAl cermets performed well compared to the WC-Co cemented carbides. The interparticle spacing of the WC-Co cemented carbides correlated with the erosion rate. The erosion rate of the WC-Co cemented carbides decreased as the interparticle spacing decreased. It is important to realize that erosion resistance is not an intrinsic material property, but is a system response. A change in the wear environment can significantly alter the relative rankings of materials with respect to their wear rate. For example, at relatively low velocities, the carbides in the white cast irons are more erosion resistant than the matrix, while at higher velocities the matrix is more erosion resistant

Erosive wear of selected materials for fossil energy applications

A number of materials have been evaluated to determine their erosion resistance for fossil energy applications. This is part of a larger program to study wear and corrosion at Albany Research Center. This paper will present the results for some of these materials, including FeAl, FeAl cermets, WC-Co cemented carbides, Si3N4-MoSi2, Si3N4, Stellite 6B, white cast irons and 440C steel. Trends in erosion rates due to material properties and erosive conditions will be presented. FeAl cermets performed well compared to the WC-Co cemented carbides. The interparticle spacing of the WC-Co cemented carbides correlated with the erosion rate. The erosion rate of the WC-Co cemented carbides decreased as the interparticle spacing decreased. It is important to realize that erosion resistance is not an intrinsic material property, but is a system response. A change in the wear environment can significantly alter the relative rankings of materials with respect to their wear rate. For example, at relatively low velocities, the carbides in the white cast irons are more erosion resistant than the matrix, while at higher velocities the matrix is more erosion resistant