PNNL

Abstract

Mixed ionic/electronic conducting perovskite oxides such as lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) are strong candidates for potential use in a number of electrochemical devices, including gas separation membranes and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Underlying the excitement over the these novel ceramics is the engineering challenge of effectively incorporating them into practical devices. Taking full advantage of the unique properties of advanced ceramics such as mixed conducting oxides depends in large part on being able to develop reliable joining techniques. Earlier studies have indicated that Ag-CuO reactive air braze (RAB) compositions are effective in joining to LSCF. Meanwhile, it has been found that small additions of as little as 0.5 mol% titanium oxide to Ag-CuO RAB compositions cause a dramatic increase in the wettability of RAB on many oxide ceramic surfaces. Therefore the wettabilty of Ag-CuO-TiO2 brazes on LSCF substrates will be examined and the flexural strength, microstructure, and conductivity of joints in LSCF made using Ag-CuO-TiO2 brazes will be discussed. Long-term aging effects on conductivity and microstructure will also be presented.