In this project, West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU-RC) will develop and utilize cost-effective alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) steels for balance of plant (BOP) components and pipes in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems to minimize chromium (Cr)-poisoning and improve system stability. WVU-RC and its partners will also investigate the influence of the operation conditions on the oxidation of and Cr-release from the AFA steels, and their effects on the degradation of SOFC performance. In addition, they will manufacture and test the related BOP components in industrial SOFC systems. To achieve these ends, WVU-RC will work with Carpenter and ORNL to develop AFAs as cost-effective alternatives for two common BOP alloys, which will provide improved stability and Cr-blocking performance. WVU-RC, ORNL, and FCE will then conduct studies on oxidation kinetics and Cr evaporation in simulated SOFC environments. Subsequently, WVU-RC will investigate Cr-poisoning of the SOFC cathode associated with BOP materials (AFA and baseline alloys). For the project’s final task, WVU-RC and its partners will perform a preliminary techno-economic evaluation on various candidate AFAs for SOFC BOP components. They will identify key BOP components and develop plans for manufacturing and testing/evaluation in industrial settings.