Fuel cell with ceramic-coated bipolar plates and a process for producing the fuel cell

A high-temperature fuel cell has a solid electrolyte between metal plates. The surfaces of the metal plates are at least partly coated with stabilized zirconium oxide or a similar firmly adhering gas-tight ceramic with crystal structure. The coating reduces the gap between the plates at the edge of the fuel cell and makes it possible to fill the reduced gap with a glass solder green foil or a similar solder material which forms a gas-tight lateral seal for the fuel cell during the assembly of the fuel cell. The plates are also insulated from one another. The gas conduits formed in the plates for the aggressive reaction gases may also be protected against attack by the reaction gases with a thin coating of the same material.