SOEC electrolytic cell bipolar plate
TiTime is the global leader in high-temperature electrolyzer components, delivering fully independent, proprietary interconnect plates (bipolar plates) for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) and reversible Solid Oxide Cell (rSOC) systems. Leveraging advanced ferritic stainless steel processing, precision flow-field forming, and industry-leading protective spinel coatings, TiTime enables SOEC stacks to achieve electrical efficiencies exceeding 90% LHV while operating reliably at 750–900°C. As of November 2025, TiTime interconnects are deployed in over 200 MW of SOEC and rSOC projects worldwide, including Bloom Energy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Elcogen, and Topsoe partnerships, with production capacity exceeding 500 MW annually.
SOEC Technology Advantages and Interconnect Role
Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells represent the highest-efficiency water electrolysis technology available in 2025, routinely achieving >90% electrical efficiency (LHV) in steam electrolysis mode and up to 100%+ when utilizing waste heat. Operating at 750–900°C, SOECs dramatically reduce electrical energy demand compared to low-temperature technologies and enable reversible operation (SOEC ↔ SOFC) for perfect grid-balancing and “power-to-X-to-power” applications.
The interconnect plate is the most critical structural and functional component in SOEC stacks, accounting for 40–60% of stack cost and directly determining:
- Electrical conduction with ultra-low ASR (<50 mΩ·cm² after 40,000 h)
- Gas distribution and separation (steam/H₂ on fuel side, air/O₂ on oxygen side)
- Thermal management under extreme gradients and rapid cycling
- Long-term stability against chromium volatilization, oxidation, and poisoning
TiTime interconnects, based on Crofer 22 APU/Crofer 22 H ferritic stainless steel with proprietary (Mn,Co)₃O₄ spinel + Ce/Co barrier coatings, solve the industry’s primary degradation mechanisms and deliver class-leading performance in both electrolysis and reversible modes.
Typical SOEC Stack Architecture (Outer to Inner)
- End plates — High-temperature alloy with compression hardware
- Mica or ceramic seals — Gas-tight sealing at 800–900°C
- Interconnect plates (TiTime core product) — Crofer 22 APU/H base, precision-stamped or chemically etched flow fields, dual-layer protective coating, ASR <30 mΩ·cm² new, <80 mΩ·cm² after 50,000 h
- Oxygen electrode contact layer — LSM or LSC protective coating
- Cell — YSZ or ScSZ electrolyte, Ni-YSZ fuel electrode, LSCF/GDC oxygen electrode
- Symmetric repeat stacking — 50–120 cells per stack, enabling 50–500 kW modules
TiTime SOEC Interconnect Core Performance (2025 Commercial Data)
- Area-Specific Resistance: <30 mΩ·cm² (new), degradation rate <1 μΩ·cm²/kh (vs. industry 3–5 μΩ·cm²/kh)
- Chromium volatilization: <0.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ g·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at 850°C (10× lower than uncoated Crofer)
- Oxidation resistance: Scale thickness <5 μm after 40,000 h air/steam exposure
- Thermal cycling stability: >1,000 cycles (RT–850°C) with zero spallation
- Reversible operation proven: >15,000 h cumulative SOEC/SOFC cycling, degradation <0.5%/1,000 h
- Stack-level validation: 100+ kW systems achieving >92% LHV efficiency at 0.8–1.0 A/cm², 800°C, 70% steam
TiTime Proprietary Manufacturing Technologies
- Base material: Crofer 22 APU/H (22–24% Cr, Ti/La micro-alloyed for optimal CTE match with YSZ)
- Precision flow-field forming: Chemical etching for ultra-fine channels (depth consistency ±20 μm) or high-tonnage stamping for large-area plates (>800 cm²)
- 7-stage plasma-activated cleaning: Ensures perfect surface activation before coating
- Pulsed electrodeposition + atmospheric plasma spraying of (Mn,Co)₃O₄ spinel (8–25 μm thickness, density >99.5%)
- Vacuum annealing & stress-relief: Eliminates residual stresses, ensures zero warping during thermal cycling
- Optional Ce/Co or LSM barrier layers for extreme longevity applications
- Fully automated coating lines: Capacity >1 million plates/year, defect rate <0.05%
Why Global SOEC Leaders Choose TiTime Interconnects
- Proven at scale: >200 MW delivered by November 2025, including multiple 10–50 MW projects in Europe, USA, Japan, and China
- Lowest degradation rates in the industry: Real-world data shows 40–60% lower ASR growth than competitors, extending stack life beyond 50,000 h
- Reversible SOC leadership: Validated in Topsoe rSOC projects with >15,000 cycle life
- Fastest delivery: 6–8 weeks for prototype batches, GW-scale capacity ready for 2026–2030 ramp
- Total cost leadership: 30–40% lower interconnect cost than ceramic alternatives while exceeding performance
TiTimecn – The undisputed technology and delivery leader for SOEC interconnects worldwide.