The effect of aluminum as an alloying addition or as an implant on the high-temperature oxidation of Ni-25Cr

The oxidation behavior of aluminum-implanted Ni-25Cr and Ni-25Cr containing 1 wt.% Al has been studied at 1000°C and 1100°C in oxygen. As did Y alloying addition or Y-implantation, 1 wt.% Al added to Ni-25Cr prevented nodular formation of Ni-containing oxides, improved spalling resistance of the scale upon cooling to a similar degree, and eliminated the formation of large voids between the alloy and the scale at the oxidation temperature. However, the Al addition did not alter the rate of growth of the Cr₂O₃ scale, nor did it change the growth direction. Al-implantation produced no effect even when the maximum concentration and depth of penetration were adjusted to be identical with those of the yttrium in the Y-implanted alloy. The implications of these results concerning the reactive element effect are discussed.