Creep characteristics of porous Ni/Ni3Al anodes for molten carbonate fuel cells

The creep behaviour of Ni/(4–7 wt.%) Ni3Al and Ni/5 wt.% Ni3Al/5 wt.% Cr anodes for molten carbonate fuel cells is classified in terms of two stages during a creep test for 100 h under an applied uniaxial load. The first stage relates to grain rearrangement which results from the destruction of large pores by the applied load. In the second stage, small pores are collapsed by a subsequent sintering process under the load. The creep resistance of the anodes is enhanced by increasing the sintering resistance through Ni3Al or Ni3Al and Cr inclusion, i.e. in comparison with anodes of pure Ni and Ni/10 wt.% Cr. The creep deformation of Ni/5 wt.% Ni3Al/5 wt.% Cr anode is decreased markedly by a synergistic effect of dispersion strengthening and solid-solution strengthening which results from Ni3Al and Cr addition.