TEM Investigation of the Microstructure of the Scale Formed on a FeCrAlRE Alloy at 900 A degrees C: The Effect of Y-rich RE Particles

• Three oxide features: the thin and smooth protective oxide, reactive element (Ti-, Zr- or Y-rich) particles, and patches of thick oxide surrounding the Y-rich reactive element particles, were observed on a commercial FeCrAlRE alloy, Kanthal AF, exposed at 900 A degrees C. The microstructural development of the patches of thick oxide was investigated on samples exposed for 24 or 168 h in either dry O-2 or O-2 + 40% H2O. Analytical transmission electron microscopy in combination with site-precision TEM sample preparation by FIB/SEM was used. In all patches a thin but continuous inward growing alpha-Al2O3 layer was formed under a thick outward growing alumina layer, which initially consisted only of gamma-Al2O3. In dry O-2, transformation of gamma-Al2O3 (in the outer layer) to alpha-Al2O3 had started during 24 h and a considerable amount of gamma-Al2O3 had transformed after 168 h. The transformation originated immediately above the inward growing alpha-Al2O3. No such transformation occurred in O-2 + H2O. The possible effects of the Y-rich RE particles, as well as the effects of water vapour, on the oxidation were discussed.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

reactive element

FIB/SEM

oxidation resistance

oxide scales

Phase transformation

dry

alumina scales

Water vapour

temperature oxidation

o-2

kanthal af

RE

FeCrAl alloy

Microstructure

40-percent

High

adherence

transient oxidation

h2o

EDX

TEM

Al2O3

minor additions

Y

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)