Microstructural Investigation of the Initial Oxidation of the FeCrAlRE Alloy Kanthal AF in Dry and Wet O-2 at 600 and 800 degrees C

• The FeCrAlRE (where RE is reactive element) alloy Kanthal AF was exposed isothermally at 600 and 800 degrees C for 72 h in dry O-2 and in O-2 with 10 vol % H2O. The mass gains were 3-5 times higher at the higher temperature. The presence of water vapor increased the oxidation rate at 800 degrees C, while no significant effect was observed at 600 degrees C. A thin two-layered oxide formed at 600 degrees C: an outer (Fe, Cr)(2)O-3 corundum-type oxide, containing some Al, and an inner, probably amorphous, Al-rich oxide. At 800 degrees C a two-layered oxide formed in both environments. The inner layer consisted of inward grown alpha-Al2O3. In dry O-2 the originally formed outward grown gamma-Al2O3 had transformed to alpha-Al2O3 after 72 h. Water vapor stabilized the outward grown gamma-Al2O3 and hence no transformation occurred after 72 h in humid environment. RE-rich oxide particles with varying composition (Y, Zr, and Ti) were distributed in the base oxide at both temperatures and in both environments. The RE-rich particles were separated from the alloy substrate by a layer of Al-rich oxide. At 800 degrees C the Y-rich RE particles were surrounded by thick oxide patches in both dry and humid O-2.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

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

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

Nyckelord

40-percent h2o

900 degrees-c

mg-incorporation

oxide scales

water-vapor

alumina scales

cyclic oxidation

fecraire alloys

high-temperature oxidation

growth

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