Glas Sealing Tapes for stack sealing

A solid oxide fuel cell consists of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte, which is conductive to oxygen ions but not to electrons. Typically the electrolyte material is a zirconia with different dopants. On the cathode side oxygen ions are formed by a catalytically reaction of oxygen with a supply of electrons. The oxygen ions diffuse through the electrolyte to the anode side, where they react with hydrogen to form water and deliver free electrons. An electrical potential difference is induced that may drive an electrical current.

To get a high voltage several cells are connected in series in a so called stack - the current delivering assembly. For the integration into a stack - system the cells are installed between interconnect plates, which ensure a good electrical contact and the separation of the two gas compartments of the anode and cathode. The leak tightness of the seal between the cell and the interconnect plate has to be warranted. Otherwise a brand in the stack could occur and among other things a lower current yield would be the consequence.

With the scientific support of Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems we developed glass sealing tapes for solid oxide fuel cells and are now able to produce and provide them.