Oxidation of heat-resistant alloys

The oxidation performance of three novel, heat-resistant alloys, namely KHR35C HiSi, KHR45A LC, and UCX, was studied at relatively low temperatures (i.e. 650 and 750 degrees C) for 1,000 h. The study was focused mainly on exploring oxide-layer growth and characterizing the oxide phases in order to prevent or minimizing metal dusting in carbonizing environments. The specimens were examined by visual and metallographic examination, SEM/EDX, XRD, and weight-change measurements. The results have been compared with a previous, short-term study (100 h) in order to understand the influence of exposure time on oxidation. It is concluded that exposing the alloys to air at 650 and 750 degrees C led to the formation of oxides of chromium, nickel, iron, silicon, and iron-containing spinels. Moreover, increasing the exposure time, temperature or both resulted in further oxide growth, leading to more continuous, adherent, and thicker oxides. The alloys, however, did not form a completely protective scale, especially at 650 degrees C, even after 1,000 h of exposure.