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.