Applicability of Probabilistic Analyses to Assess the Structural Reliability of Materials and Components for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

The applicability of probabilistic analyses to assess the structural reliability of materials and components for solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is investigated by measuring the failure rate of Ni-YSZ when subjected to a temperature gradient and comparing it with that predicted using the Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures (CARES) code. The use of a temperature gradient to induce stresses was chosen because temperature gradients resulting from gas flow patterns generate stresses during SOFC operation that are likely to control the structural reliability of cell components. The magnitude of the predicted failure rate was found to be comparable with that determined experimentally, which suggests that such probabilistic analyses are appropriate for predicting the structural reliability of materials and components for SOFCs. Considerations for performing more comprehensive studies are discussed.