The effect of recrystallization on the oxide scale composition and growth of whiskers during the oxidation of pure iron

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation, the composition of oxide scales, and the morphology of scales were markedly affected by recrystallization of the iron substrate at 500°C. There was little difference in behavior over the temperature range of 600 to 900°C. Whiskers of Fe2O3formed on the outer surface during oxidation at 800 and 900δC, the orientation of the whiskers being either [001] or [110]⊥surface, depending upon the batch of the iron. Different batches of iron from the same supplier exhibited variable oxidation behavior which has been attributed to variations in the thermal stability of the crystal texture in the substrates.