The influence of silicon on the corrosion properties of FeCrAl model alloys in oxidizing environments at 600 degrees C

The present study investigates the influence of Si on the high temperature corrosion behaviour of FeCrAl model alloys in O-2, O-2 + H2O and O-2 + H2O + KCl at 600 degrees C for up to 168 h. The investigation by SEM/EDX showed that all alloys displayed a protective behaviour in dry O-2. In the more corrosive environments (O-2 + H2O and O-2 + H2O + KCl) the addition of Si affected the oxidation properties in two ways; Alloys containing Si resisted breakaway oxidation caused by Cr-evaporation (O-2 + H2O) and the thickness of the oxide formed after breakaway oxidation decreased with increasing amount of Si (O-2 + H2O + KCl).