Air Oxidation of FeCoNi-Base Equi-Molar Alloys at 800–1000°C

Abstract.

The oxidation behavior of FeCoNi, FeCoNiCr, and FeCoNiCrCu equi-molar alloys was studied over the temperature range 800–1000 °C in dry air. The ternary and quaternary alloys were single-phase, while the quinary alloy was two-phase. In general, the oxidation kinetics of the ternary and quinary alloys followed the two-stage parabolic rate law, with rate constants generally increasing with temperature. Conversely, three-stage parabolic kinetics were observed for the quaternary alloy at T ≥ 900°C. The additions of Cr and Cu enhanced the oxidation resistance to a certain extent. The scales formed on all the alloys were triplex and strongly dependent on the alloy composition. In particular, on the ternary alloy, they consist of an outer-layer of CoO, an intermediate layer of Fe₃O₄, and an inner-layer of CoNiO₂ and Fe₃O₄. Internal oxidation with formation of FeO precipitates was also observed for this alloy, which had a thickness increasing with temperature. The scales formed on the quaternary alloy consisted of an outer layer of Fe₃O₄ and CoCr₂O₄, an intermediate layer of FeCr₂O₄ and NiCr₂O₄, and an inner layer of Cr₂O₃. Finally, the scales formed on the quinary alloy are all heterophasic, consisting of an outer layer of CuO, an intermediate-layer of CuO and Fe₃O₄, and an inner-layer of Fe₃O₄, FeCr₂O₄, and CuCrO₂. The formation of Cr₂O₃ on the quaternary alloy and possibly that of CuCrO₂ on the quinary alloy was responsible for the reduction of the oxidation rates as compared to the ternary alloy.