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Formation of microstructural features in hot-dip aluminized AISI 321 stainless steel

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Abstract

Hot-dip aluminizing (HDA) is a proven surface coating technique for improving the oxidation and corrosion resistance of ferrous substrates. Although extensive studies on the HDA of plain carbon steels have been reported, studies on the HDA of stainless steels are limited. Because of the technological importance of stainless steels in high-temperature applications, studies of their microstructural development during HDA are needed. In the present investigation, the HDA of AISI 321 stainless steel was carried out in a pure Al bath. The microstructural features of the coating were studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These studies revealed that the coating consists of two regions: an Al top coat and an aluminide layer at the interface between the steel and Al. The Al top coat was found to consist of intermetallic phases such as Al7Cr and Al3Fe dispersed in an Al matrix. Twinning was observed in both the Al7Cr and the Al3Fe phases. Furthermore, the aluminide layer comprised a mixture of nanocrystalline Fe2Al5, Al7Cr, and Al. Details of the microstructural features are presented, and their formation mechanisms are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors (P H) would like to thank MHRD, Government of India, for providing a research fellowship.

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  1. Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, 575025, India

    Prashant Huilgol, K. Rajendra Udupa & K. Udaya Bhat

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  1. Prashant Huilgol
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  2. K. Rajendra Udupa
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  3. K. Udaya Bhat
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Correspondence to Prashant Huilgol.

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Huilgol, P., Rajendra Udupa, K. & Udaya Bhat, K. Formation of microstructural features in hot-dip aluminized AISI 321 stainless steel. Int J Miner Metall Mater 25, 190–198 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1562-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1562-2

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