Differences in oxides on large-and small-grained 304 stainless steel

Abstract

The oxides formed on large-grained (∼40 °m) and small-grained (∼4 μm) 304 stainless steel oxidized in air at 800 °C have been examined and compared by Auger electron spectroscopy to learn more about the role of grain boundaries in the oxidation of the materials. For vacuum preannealed specimens, relatively thick iron oxides formed over the grains and thin, chromium-rich oxides formed over grain boudaries of large-grained material. The oxide formed over the entire surface of the small-grained material was a thin chromium-rich layer similar to that formed over grain boundaries of the large-grained samples. The oxidation of both small- and large-grained samples was consistent with selective formation of Cr₂O₃ at grain boundaries followed by a lateral diffusion of Cr and spreading of Cr₂O₃. A protective Cr₂O₃ layer formed readily on small-grained material but not on large-grained material. In contrast to the differences in oxide morphology for small- and large-grained preannealed specimens, oxide morphologies were similar for small- and large-grained material when the outer surface layer was removed by polishing after annealing and before oxidation tests. Surface differences, not adequately defined by Auger and SEM studies, caused marked changes in oxide morphologies for large-grained material. The difference in oxidation behavior before and after polishing was attributed to enhanced oxidation at grain boundaries during the vacuum preannealing treatment and to differences in defect concentrations in the surface region.