This paper reports the fabrication of the SmBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+delta (SBSCO) infiltrated scandia-stabilized-zirconia (SSZ) composite cathode for metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs). The effects of the calcination temperature on the structure, morphology and polarization resistance of the composite cathode were studied. Cathode calcinated at 700 degrees C showed the finest microstructure and the lowest polarization resistance, e.g., 0.054 and 0.172 Omega cm(2) at 700 and 600 degrees C, respectively. Thermal shock resistance of the composite cathode was studied and no degradation was found after the 35 thermal cycles conducted between 100 and 600 degrees C with a rate of 10 degrees C min (1). MS-SOFC with the SBSCO infiltrated SSZ cathode was prepared and the maximum power density (MPD) can be as high as 1.25, 0.92, 0.61 and 0.39 W cm (2) when measured at 700, 650, 600 and 550 degrees C, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.