A Ba-based glass-ceramic sealant is designed and tested for solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) applications. A suitable SiO₂/BaO ratio is chosen in order to obtain BaSi₂O₅ crystalline phase and subsequently favorable thermo-mechanical properties of the glass-ceramic sealant. The glass is analyzed in terms of thermal, thermo-mechanical, chemical, and electrical behavior. Crofer22APU-sealant-Crofer22APU joined samples are tested for 2000 h at 850 °C in a dual atmosphere test rig having reducing atmosphere of H₂:H₂O 50/50 (mol%) and under the applied voltage of 1.6 V. In order to simulate the SOEC dynamic working conditions, thermal cycles are performed during the long-term electrical resistivity test. The glass-ceramic shows promising behavior in terms of high density, suitable CTE, and stable electrical resistivity (10⁶–10⁷ Ω cm) under SOEC conditions. The SEM-EDS post mortem analysis confirms excellent chemical and thermo-mechanical compatibility of the glass-ceramic with Crofer22APU.

To provide a reliable integration of components within a solid oxide electrolysis cell stack, it is fundamental to evaluate the mechanical properties of the glass–ceramic sealing materials, as well as the stability of the metal–glass–ceramic interface. In this work, the mechanical behavior of two previously developed glass–ceramic sealants joined to Crofer22APU steel is investigated at room temperature, 650 °C, and 850 °C under shear load. The mechanical properties of both the glass–ceramics showed temperature dependence. The shear strength of Crofer22APU/glass–ceramic/Crofer22APU joints ranged from 14.1 MPa (20 °C) to 1.8 MPa (850 °C). The elastic modulus of both glass–ceramics also reduced with temperature. The volume fraction of the crystalline phases in the glass–ceramics was the key factor for controlling the mechanical properties and fracture, especially above the glass-transition temperature.