Influence of ceria coatings on growth stresses developed in wüstite scales formed on pure iron at 800°C

In situ XRD stress determinations have been performed during oxidation of pure iron (p(O₂=2 × 10^–3 Pa,T=800°C)). The compressive stress, initially present in the substrate due to surface preparation, is completely released at 400°C. Under the test conditions, the in situ compressive-stress level determined in the FeO scale during oxidation is not strongly dependent upon the presence of a ceria coating. On blank and coated specimens, the compressive stress varies from –400 ± 80 MPa to –150 ± 100 MPa during 30 hr oxidation. The decrease is quicker at the beginning of the test performed on blank specimens. Epitaxial relationships between the wüstite scale and iron (under low-pressure starting conditions) caused thein situ compressive stress in the oxide scale to be two times greater compared to the usual test conditions. This indicates that epitaxial relationships can be a source of stress in an oxide scale that ceria coatings may lower compressive stresses.