Predicting oxide stability in high-temperature water vapor

The importance of understanding and predicting the interactions of oxides with water vapor at high temperatures is demonstrated in this article. Methods for observing volatilization phenomena and identifying the chemical formulae for volatile metal hydroxides are discussed. In addition, techniques for obtaining accurate thermodynamic data for gaseous metal hydroxide species are described. Detailed examples of the stability of the principle structural and/or protective oxides chromia (Cr2O3), silica (SiO2), andalumina (Al2O3) inhigh-temperature water vapor are included.