A fuel cell life time and its correct working are strongly dependent on its main components characteristics: anode, cathode and matrix. The required performances are directly correlated to two very important parameters: porosity and average pore diameter. In particular the influence of raw powders on MCFC anode porosimetric properties was studied. Ni-Al spherical and non-spherical powders were tested for anode production and the final samples were analysed by mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.