Improving Plasma Sprayed YSZ Coatings for SOFC Electrolytes

Using a D-optimal design of experiments (DOE), influence of feedstock powder and plasma gases were examined on deposition efficiency, gas tightness and electrochemical behavior of vacuum plasma sprayed YSZ for SOFC electrolytes. In-flight particle temperature and velocity, measured by on-line particle diagnostics, were correlated with plasma and deposit properties. Electrochemical testing of cells was performed to determine the influence of gas tightness and microstructure of electrolyte deposit on cell behavior.