The effect of cell shape on the warpage in solid oxide fuel cells

Planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are one of energy conversion systems with high efficiency and low environmental damage. During the fabrication of the cells, the mismatch between the thermo-elastic material properties of the components causes the warpage of cells. The warpage can reduce the performance of the cells. In this study, the planar anode supported half cells are made by tape casting and co-sintering and the effect of the cell shape on the warpage of cells has been investigated under identical conditions. Half cells with three common shapes (circle, square and rectangle) are made and the warpage of all samples is analyzed. The results demonstrate that under these fabrication conditions, rectangular cells are flatter than the square cells and square cells are flatter than the circular cells. All specimens, in spite of the difference in shape, show a semi-cylindrical curvature. This work also provides more accurate criteria for the comparison of cell warpage. For this purpose, statistical based criteria are proposed to analyze the warpage behavior.