In this work the behaviour of type AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel at high temperatures and its use as SOFCs interconnect material is evaluated. The main objective is to show the morphologic chemistry composition of the oxide layer formed in such circumstances as well as the microstructural variation revealed by its grain size. The Samples of this type of steel were heat treated isothermally at 650° C, 850°C and 1050°C at several holding times. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that at 650°C evidence of a very thin oxide layer formation was already found. Furthermore, at the temperatures of 850°C and 1050°C it grain growth and formation of an oxide layer consisting of small microcrystals with O, Fe, Cr and Mn in their composition were observed.
Stainless steel; oxidation; interconnect; SOFC
