Effect of Al concentration on Fe-17Cr alloy during steam oxidation at 400 degrees C

Accident tolerant cladding materials should have improved properties under the LOCA conditions. FeCrAl alloys are promising materials with high-temperature steam oxidation resistance. Little efforts have been put into understanding the compositional effects on the performance of FeCrAl at operating conditions. This work focuses on understanding the effect of Al concentration in three Fe-17Cr-xAl alloys on oxidation resistance at 400 & DEG;C in steam environment. This study shows that increased Al concentration reduces the total oxide thickness, enhances the formation of a uniform Cr-oxide layer. and with sufficient Al concentration allows for the formation of a Croxide, Al-oxide bilayer.

Automated summary

Accident tolerant cladding materials with improved properties under LOCA conditions are needed. FeCrAl alloys, with high-temperature steam oxidation resistance, show promise. However, the compositional effects on FeCrAl performance at operating conditions have not been well understood. This study investigates the effect of Al concentration in three Fe-17Cr-xAl alloys on oxidation resistance at 400°C in a steam environment, and finds that increased Al concentration can reduce total oxide thickness, enhance the formation of a uniform Cr-oxide layer, and allow for the formation of a Croxide, Al-oxide bilayer when Al concentration is sufficient.