High Temperature Oxidation of Fe22Cr-alloy

The isothermal and constant heating rate oxidation behaviour of the alloy Fe₇₈Cr₂₂ was examined in air with 1% H₂O and in 7% H₂/93% Ar with 1% or 12% H₂O. The measurements were performed in the temperature range 700–1300°C. The effect of surface treatment prior to oxidation was examined. A Cr₂O₃ scale developed slowly up to900°C. At 1100°C a catastrophic oxidation was observed after heat treatment for 70 h in air with 1% H₂O and in 7% H₂/93% Ar with 12% H₂O. The scale developed in these cases consisted of iron rich oxides such as Fe₂O₃ or FeCr₂O₄, in contrast to the more protective Cr₂O₃ scale seen under other test conditions. Possible causes for the catastrophic oxidation are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.