Fe-Al-Si Alloys for Applications in Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

Iron aluminides have been considered as materials resistant against high temperature oxidation in air and sulphur-containing environments. Previous research of our team proved that the oxidation resistance in the air can be significantly improved by the addition of silicon. Fe-Al-Si alloys have also very good mechanical properties at high temperatures. However, the resistance in the environments simulating combustion gasses have not been studied yet. This work focuses on the oxidation resistance in carbon dioxide, which is the main component of the combustion gasses. It was found that the Fe-Al-Si, Fe-Al-Si-Ni and Fe-Al-Si-Ti alloys have lower oxidation resistance in carbon dioxide containing atmosphere than in the air due to carbon diffusion to the material and even to the formation of carbides below the oxide layer. It leads to the spallation of the oxide layer, especially in FeAl20Si20Ni20 alloy.