Preparation, characterization and application of Al2O3 nanoparticles for the protection of boiler steel tubes from high temperature corrosion

Abstract

In this study, α-Al2O3 nanoparticles were prepared using a simple sol-gel method. Synthesized nanoparticles with NiCrAlY alloy were used as coating layer for high temperature corrosion control of boiler tubes in absence and presence of fuel ash. Thermal plasma technique was used for coating process. Corrosion rates of austenitic stainless steel tubes were evaluated via weight loss technique as a function of temperature. Prepared α-Al2O3 nanoparticles and surface morphology of austenitic stainless steel tubes were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS analyses. The results show that the corrosion rate increases with increasing temperatures, in absence and presence of coating. Maximum coating efficiency was 82 and 88% in absence and presence of fuel ash respectively.