Corrosion Behaviour 310 Stainless Steel in Superheated Steam

In this study, the long term corrosion resistance of 310S stainless steel under superheated steam condition at a temperature of 800 °C (0.1 MPa) was studied. Following exposure for ~1000, 2000 and 3000 h, both weight measurement and SEM analysis were carried out, in addition to XRD analysis. Weight gain was observed for all samples analyzed in this study, and an average weight gain of ~0.2 mg/cm2 was found per 1000 h of exposure in superheated steam. The weight gain followed a mode between linear and parabolic. Surface oxide layers consisting primarily of Cr2O3 and (Fe, Mn)Cr2O4 were observed. There were signs of oxide breakaway as islands of bare, exposed substrate increased following 3000 h of SHS exposure.