High-temperature oxidation behavior of Mo–Si–B-based and Co–Re–Cr-based alloys

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of aerospace gas turbine engines requires materials that can be used at increasingly higher temperatures in aggressive environments. This paper summarizes the current stage of alloy development of Mo–Si–B-based and Co–Re–Cr-based alloys regarding the high-temperature oxidation resistance. Since refractory metals, such as Mo and Re, suffer from catastrophic oxidation, the main task of research is to find alloying elements that improve the oxidation behavior of these alloys. For Mo–Si–B-based alloys, it was observed that an addition of Zr has a significant positive influence on the oxidation resistance by reducing the time necessary for the formation of a protective borosilicate layer. An addition of 0.2 at.% Y improves the viscous properties of the borosilicate increasing the protectiveness of the oxide scale. Macroalloying with Ti yields a strong positive effect on the oxidation behavior and, in addition, notably reduces the density of Mo–Si–B-based alloys. In Co–Re–Cr-based alloys, Cr is included to achieve favorable mechanical properties and to form a protective chromia layer during oxidation. As a consequence of the synergetic effect of Cr and Si, an addition of 2 at.% Si significantly improves the oxidation behavior of the alloy. Al addition further promotes the formation of the protective chromia layer at intermediate temperatures and exhibits the potential of the formation of a protective alumina scale suitable for applications at very high temperatures. The critical evaluation of the complex oxidation behavior of both metallic systems in a broad temperature range gives insight into the underlying fundamental mechanisms, reveals the potentials of particular alloying elements and, thus, guides future development of these material classes.