Additive manufacturing has widened the scope for designing more performing microstructures for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Structural modifications, such as the insertion of ceramic pillars within the electrode, facilitate ion transport and boost the electrochemical performance. However, questions still remain on the related mechanical requirements during operation. This study presents a comprehensive thermal-electrochemical-mechanical model targeted to assess the stress distribution in 3D manufactured electrodes. Simulations show that a dense pillar increases the stress distribution by ca. 10 % compared to a flat electrode benchmark. The stress is generated by the material thermal contraction and intensifies at the pillar-electrolyte junction while external loads have negligible effects. An analysis on manufacturing inaccuracies indicates that sharp edges, surface roughness and tilted pillars intensify the stress; nonetheless, the corresponding stress increase is narrow, suggesting that manufacturing inaccuracies can be easily tolerated. The model points towards robust design criteria for 3D manufactured electrodes.

增材制造扩大了设计用于固体氧化物燃料电池（SOFC）的更高性能微结构的范围。结构上的修改（例如将陶瓷柱插入电极内）有助于离子传输并提高电化学性能。但是，在运行期间仍然存在有关机械要求的问题。这项研究提出了一个综合的热电化学机械模型，旨在评估3D制造的电极中的应力分布。仿真表明，密实的柱子使应力分布增加了大约。与扁平电极基准相比为10％。应力是由材料的热收缩产生的，并在柱-电解质结处加剧，而外部载荷的影响可忽略不计。对制造误差的分析表明，锋利的边缘，表面粗糙度和倾斜的立柱会加剧应力。但是，相应的应力增加很小，这表明可以容忍制造误差。该模型指向3D制成电极的稳健设计标准。