Timurkutluk B.Timurkutluk C.Toros S.Kaplan Y.2019-08-012019-08-0120180272-8842https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.12.204https://hdl.handle.net/11480/1669The effects of the sintering support design on the microstructural and mechanical properties of NiO/YSZ anode support micro-tubes are investigated in this study. For this purpose, a number of micro-tubes of the same geometrical properties are fabricated via extrusion method from the same extrusion paste. The micro-tubes are then sintered at the same temperature on sintering plates with different C- and V-type sintering channels designed. The micro-tubes after sintering are found to have similar geometric properties. However, the microstructural investigations and three point bending tests indicate that the microstructural properties of the micro-tubes are strongly influenced by the sintering plate design. As a result, the flexural strength of the micro-tubes are found to be different. Among the cases considered, the micro-tubes of V2 (half of the micro-tube is initially in the V-type channel) and V4 (whole micro-tube is initially in the V-type channel) design provide relatively fine microstructure and thus relatively higher flexural strength values at a reliability of 80%. The flexural strengths of these micro-tubes are also found to be more consistent. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAnode supportFlexural strengthMicro-tubeMicrostructureSintering supportSolid oxide fuel cellArticle4455587559310.1016/j.ceramint.2017.12.2042-s2.0-85039738779Q1WOS:000425204400140Q1