Oxidation of Binary FeCr Alloys (Fe-2.25Cr, Fe-10Cr, Fe-18Cr and Fe-25Cr) in O2 and in O2 + H2O Environment at 600 °C

The oxidation behaviour of the binary alloys Fe-2.25Cr, Fe-10Cr, Fe-18Cr and Fe-25Cr (wt%) in dry and wet O-2 at 600 degrees C is investigated by isothermal exposures of carefully polished samples for up to 168 h. The oxidized samples are investigated gravimetrically and the oxides formed are studied by X-ray diffraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used for depth profiling of the thin oxides. The scale surface is imaged by SEM. Cross-sections through the scale are analyzed by SEM/EDX for imaging and for measuring the chemical composition. The oxidation behavior of the four FeCr alloys is intermediate between those of iron and chromium. Fe-2.25Cr oxidizes in a way similar to iron in both environments, forming a poorly protective scale consisting of FeCr spinel at the bottom, magnetite in the middle and a hematite cap layer. In dry O-2, Fe-10Cr, Fe-18Cr and Fe-25Cr form a thin and protective (Fe,Cr)(2)O-3 oxide similar to the chromia film formed on pure chromium. In wet O-2, Fe-10Cr, Fe-18Cr and Fe-25Cr initially form the same kind of protective oxide film as in dry conditions. After an incubation time that depends on alloy chromium content, all three alloys go into breakaway oxidation and form thick, poorly protective scales similar to those formed on Fe-2.25Cr. Breakaway oxidation in wet O-2 is triggered by the evaporation of CrO2(OH)(2) from the protective (Fe, Cr)(2)O-3 oxide.