Abstract
The oxidation of iron at elevated temperature in pure oxygen and water vapor and the decomposition of wustite were studied in situ with environmental scanning-electron microscopy (ESEM). Depending on the type of gas atmosphere, iron formed either a porous multi-layer oxide scale with additional growth of oxide whiskers or a compact wustite scale. The oxidation mechanism of iron is referred to and the results are reviewed on the basis of the available literature. The disintegration of the wustite scale is followed in situ during cooling in an oxidizing environment. The disproportionation reaction and the observed development of an additional scale morphology is seen to arise from mechanical stresses and nucleation reactions. These results highlight the advantages of in situ techniques.
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