A generic solid oxide fuel cell stack test fixture was developed to evaluate candidate materials and processing under realistic conditions. A NiO-YSZ anode-supported YSZ electrolyte cell with a composite cathode was used to evaluate the long-term stability of a sealing system, alumina coating, Ce-modified (Mn,Co)-spinel coating, ferritic stainles steel AISI441 interconnect metal, and current collectors. A 3-cell short stack was assembled and tested in constant current mode for 6000 h at 800 degrees C. Part I of the work addresses the stack fixture design, cell components, sealing system, cell performance, and post-mortem analysis. Parts II and III will discuss microstructure evolution, interfacial reactions, and degradation mechanisms. During 6000 h of testing, the top cell showed very low degradation ( similar to 1.4% kh(-1)), while the middle and bottom cells exhibited much higher degradation after similar to 2000 h. The rapid cell degradation was correlated to the open circuit voltage measurements and was attributed to glass seal failure, probably due to unbalanced stress conditions. Post-mortem analysis showed a characteristic yellowish color around the glass seal, suggesting formation of SrCrO4. Overall the developed stack test fixture was demonstrated as a simple and useful tool for evaluation of SOFC candidate materials in realistic conditions. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.