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The Effect of Environmental Sulfur on the Establishment and Structural Stability of Alumina Scales

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Abstract

Single-phase γ-Ni of composition (in at.%) Ni–6.3Al–5.4Cr is borderline between forming Al2O3 internally or externally. Oxidation of this alloy in air and O2 + 1 %SO2 was carried out at 1,000 °C for 20 h. In air, the alloy oxidized in a mixed mode, with regions forming a non-protective product of internal Al2O3/NiAl2O4 and external NiO. When oxidized in O2 + 1 %SO2, the alloy formed a continuous Al2O3 scale. Thus, a small amount of sulfur in the atmosphere promoted the transition from internal to external Al2O3-scale formation. In a parallel study, single-phase γ′-Ni3Al of composition (in at.%) Ni–5Cr–20Al–3Pt–0.1Hf–0.05Y was oxidized at 900 °C for 20 h in air, O2 + 0.1 %SO2 and in air with an Na2SO4 deposit. For all conditions, external alumina scales were established. Metastable Ө-Al2O3 formed when oxidation took place in air alone, whereas the stable α-Al2O3 formed during oxidation in O2 + 0.1 %SO2 and in air with an Na2SO4 deposit. Thus, sulfur from the salt deposit or gas atmosphere promoted the Ө-Al2O3 → α-Al2O3 transformation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the US Office of Naval Research, award N000014-09-1-1127 and managed by Dr. David Shifler. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Wei Zhao for his help with the kinetics analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Xu Liu & Brian Gleeson

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  1. Xu Liu
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  2. Brian Gleeson
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Correspondence to Xu Liu.

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Liu, X., Gleeson, B. The Effect of Environmental Sulfur on the Establishment and Structural Stability of Alumina Scales. Oxid Met 80, 517–527 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11085-013-9444-5

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