Simultaneous chromizing — Aluminizing coating of low-alloy steels by a halide-activated, pack-cementation process

Abstract

The simultaneous chromizing — aluminizing of low-alloy steels has achieved Kanthal-like surface compositions of 16–21Cr and 5–8 wt.% Al by the use of cementation packs with a Cr-Al masteralloy and an NH₄Cl activator salt. An initial preferential deposition of Al into the alloy induces the phase transformation from austenite to ferrite at the 1150°C process temperature. The low solubility of carbon in ferrite results in the rejection of solute C into the austenitic core, thereby preventing the formation of an external Cr-carbide layer, which would otherwise block aluminizing and chromizing. The deposition and rapid diffusion of Cr and Al into the external bcc ferrite layer follows. Parabolic, cyclic-oxidation kinetics for alumina growth on the coated steels in air were observed over a wide range of relatively low temperatures (637–923°C).