Oxide adherence of Fe-20Cr-4Al alloys with small amounts of sulfur and reactive elements (Y,Hf)

Abstract

Oxide adherence of Fe–20Cr–4Al alloys with small amounts of sulfur, yttrium and hafnium was studied in air for 360 ks at 1,373, 1,473 and 1,573K by mass change measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. After oxidation at 1,373K, spalling of oxide scales on 7ppmS, 53ppmS and 1,300ppmS alloys was recognized. However, spalling of oxide scales on the other alloys was not observed. After oxidation at 1,573K, spalling of the oxide scales on the alloys with sulfur increased roughly with increasing contents of sulfur, and spalling of oxide scales on the alloys containing yttrium was scarcely recognized, however, oxide scales on all of the alloys containing hafnium spalled at the entire surface. Oxide adherence on the alloys may relate to morphologies of oxide scales and oxide–alloy interface, size and distribution of chromium sulfide, Y3Al5O12 and HfO2 particles at the oxide–alloy interface and temperature of oxidation.