Effect of Al on high-temperature corrosion of Co-15a/oNb alloys in H2-H2O-H2S environments

Co–15 at.% Nb alloys containing up to 15 at.% Al were corroded in gaseous H₂–H₂O–H₂S mixtures over the temperature range of 600–900°C. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law at all temperatures. Corrosion resistance improved with increasing Al content except at 900°C. Duplex scales formed on alloys consisting of an outer layer of cobalt sulfide and a heterophasic inner layer. A small amount of Al₂O₃ was found only on Co–15Nb–15Al. Contrary to what formed in Co–Nb binary alloys, neither NbS₂ nor NbO₂ were found in the inner layer of all alloys, but Nb₃S₄ did form. The absence of NbS₂ and NbO₂ is due to the formation of stable Al₂O₃ and Al₂S₃ that effectively blocked the inward diffusion of oxygen and sulfur, respectively, and to the reduction of activity of Nb by Al additions in the alloys. Intercalation of ions in the empty hexagonal channels of Nb₃S₄ is associated with the blockage of the transport of cobalt. An unknown phase (possibly Al_0.5NbS₂) was detected. Alloys corroded at 900°C were abnormally fast and formed a scale containing CoNb₃S₆ and Co. Pt markers were found at the interface between the inner and outer layers.     

Effect of Nb on the high-temperature sulfidation behavior of cobalt

The sulfidation behavior of Co-Nb alloys containing up to 30wt.% Nb was studied in sulfur vapor at a pressure of 0.01 atm in the temperature range of 600–700°C. Increasing niobium content decreased the sulfidation rate, following the parabolic rate law. An activation energy of 25.6 kcal/mole was obtained for Co-10Nb, Co-20Nb, and Co-25Nb, while a value of 20.5 kcal/mole was found for Co-30Nb. All were two-phase alloys, consisting of solid solution -Co and the intermetallic compound, NbCo₃. The two-phase alloys formed a rather thick outer layer of cobalt sulfides and a heterophasic inner layer that was complex. The inner layer always contained the mixed sulfide CoNb₂S₄ which, depending on the alloy composition, coexisted with cobalt sulfide, NbS₂, and / or NbCo₃ particles. Short-time sulfidations showed that the solid solution initially sulfidized rapidly to form nodules of cobalt sulfide, whereas the NbCo₃ phase formed a thin protective layer of NbS₂. The nodules grew laterally until they coalesced into the continuous, outer thick layer, while the NbS₂ completely or partially reacted with the cobalt sulfide to form CoNb₂S₄. Platinum markers were always found at the interface between the inner and outer scales, the location of the original metal surface.     

The corrosion behavior of Fe-Nb-Al alloys in H2/H2O/H2S atmospheres

The corrosion behavior of eight Fe-Nb-Al ternary alloys was studied over the temperature range 700–980°C in H₂/H₂O/H₂S atmospheres. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law for all alloys at all temperatures. The corrosion rates were reduced with increasing Nb content for Fe-x Nb -3Al alloys, the most pronounced reduction occurred as the Nb content increased from 30 to 40 wt.%. The corrosion rate of Fe-30Nb decreased by six orders of magnitude at 700°C and by five orders of magnitude at 800°C or above by the addition of 10 wt.% aluminum. The scales formed on low-Al alloys (3 wt.% Al) were duplex, consisting of an outer layer of iron sulfide (with Al dissolved near the outer-/inner-layer interface) and an inner complex layer of Fe_xNb₂S₄(FeNb₂S₄ or FeNb₃S₆), FeS, Nb₃S₄ (only detected for Nb contents of 30 wt.% or higher) and uncorroded Fe₂Nb. No oxides were detected on the low-Al alloys after corrosion at any temperature. Platinum markers were found to be located at the interface between the inner and outer scales for the low-Al alloys, suggesting that the outer scale grew by the outward transport of cations (Fe and Al) and the inner scale grew by the inward transport of sulfur. The scales formed on high-Al alloys (5 wt.% Al) were complex, consisting primarily of Nb₃S₄, Al₂O₃ and (Fe, Al)_xNb₂S₄, and minor amounts of (Fe, Al)S and uncorroded intermetallics (FeAl and Fe₂Nb). The formation of Nb₃S₄ and Al₂O₃ blocked the transport of iron through the inner scale, resulting in the significant reduction of the corrosion rates.     

A comprehensive investigation of the sulfidation behavior of binary Co-Mo alloys

The sulfidation behavior of Co-Mo alloys containing up to 40 wt.% Mo was studied over the temperature range 600–900°C in both 10^–2 and 10^–4 atm. sulfur vapor. All of the alloys were two-phase, with the alloys containing up to 30Mo consisting of Co₃Mo plus solid-solution Co, and the Co-40Mo alloy consisting of the two intermetallic compounds, Co₃Mo and Co₇Mo₆. The sulfide scales which formed were duplex, with an outer layer of cobalt sulfide and a complex, heterophasic inner layer whose phases were both composition- and temperature-dependent. The parabolic rate constant for the sulfidation kinetics decreased with increasing Mo content at all temperatures investigated. Three activation energies, all different from that of pure Co, were observed. Furthermore, Co-30Mo exhibited a kinetics inversion between 800 and 850°C. This inversion was largely the result of the formation of an innermost layer of Co_1.62Mo₆S₈ at the high temperatures. Specifically, the presence of this sulfide in the inner scale caused a significant decrease in the growth rate of the outer layer of cobalt sulfide. In fact, formation of a more compact, innermost layer of Co_1.62Mo₆S₈ at 900°C compared to that at 850°C resulted in a negative activation energy for the growth of the cobalt sulfide in this temperature range. The variation in the activation energies was due to both the duplex nature of the scales which formed and the phase constitution of the inner scale. A simple model has been developed to explain the changes in the activation energies. At 800°C the sulfidation rate of the Co-Mo alloys was essentially the same at the two sulfur pressures studied. The predominant phase in the inner layer of Co-10Mo and Co-20Mo was CoMoS₃, while for Co-30Mo and Co-40Mo it was MoS₂. However, in the case of the latter alloys, Co_1.62Mo₃S₄ formed in the region of the alloy/scale interface at temperatures 850°C and above. Although the MoS₂, which had formed on Co-40Mo, appeared to be a continuous layer, it was in fact found to be relatively nonprotective. Platinummarker experiments revealed the position of the original metal surface to be the interface between the inner and outer scales.     

The corrosion behavior of Co-Mo alloys in H2-H2O-H2S environments

The corrosion behavior of Co alloyed with up to 40 wt.% Mo alloys was studied in H₂-H₂O-H₂S gas mixtures over the temperature range between 600C and 900C. The parabolic rate constants for corrosion decreased with increasing amounts of Mo. The compositions of all gas atmospheres fall in the sulfide(s stability region of the ternary M-O-S phase diagrams at all temperatures investigated. All the corrosion scales were composed of sulfides, while no oxide was detected. The sulfide scales formed were duplex at all temperatures except at 900C. The outer layer consisted primarily of cobalt sulfide, while the inner layer was complex and heterophasic, the phases formed being highly composition dependent. MoS₂ predominated in the inner layer for all alloys. However, a metallic Mo layer was formed in the innermost layer of Co-40 Mo. Activation energies were different for all alloys, increasing with increasing Mo content. Identical kinetics were observed for Co-30Mo corroded at 700–800C. A Chevrel-phase Co_1.62Mo₆S₈ was present in scales formed on the samples exhibiting the temperature-independent kinetics. A possible model in which Co_1.62Mo₆S₈ forms preferentially in H₂-containing mixed gas is suggested. Alloys corroded at 900C formed a lamellar-structure scale which contained Co and CoMo₂S₄ layers perpendicular to the alloy surface. A eutectoid decomposition of an unknown Co-Mo sulfide may be responsible for the presence of the lamellar structure.     

The high-temperature corrosion behavior of Nb-Al alloys in a H2/H2S/H2O gas mixture

The corrosion behavior of pure Nb and three Nb Al alloys containing 12.5, 25, and 75 at.% Al was studied over the temperature range of 800–1000°C in a H₂/H₂S/H₂O gas mixture. Except for the Nb-12.5Al alloy consisting of a two phase structure of -Nb and Nb₃Al, other alloys studied were single phase. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law in all cases, regardless of temperature and alloy composition. The parabolic rate constants increased with increasing temperature, but fluctuated with increasing Al content. The Nb-75Al alloy exhibited the best corrosion resistance among all alloys studied, whose corrosion rates are 1.6–2.2 orders of magnitude lower than those of pure-Nb (depending on temperature). An exclusive NbO₂ layer was formed on pure Nb, while heterophasic scales were observed on Nb-Al alloys whose compositions and amounts strongly depended on Al content and temperature. The scales formed on Nb-12.5Al consisted of mostly NbO₂ and minor amounts of Nb₂O₅, NbS2, and -Al₂O₃, while the scales formed on Nb-25Al consisted of mostly Nb₂O₅ and some -Al₂O₃. The scales formed on Nb-75Al consisted of mostly -Al₂O₃ and Nb₃S₄ atT 900°C, and mostly -Al₂O₃ , Nb₃S₄ and some AlNbO₄ at 1000°C. The formation of -Al₂O₃ and Nb₃S₄ resulted in a significant reduction of the corrosion rates.     

The oxidation of Co−Nb alloys under low oxygen pressures at 600–800°C

The oxidation of two Co–Nb alloys containing 15 and 30 wt.% Nb has been studied at 600–800° C in H₂–CO₂ mixtures providing an oxygen pressure of 10^–24 atm at 600°C and 10^–20 atm at 700 and 800°C, below the dissociation pressure of cobalt oxide. At 600 and 700°C both alloys showed only a region of internal oxidation composed, of a mixture of alpha cobalt and of niobium oxides (NbO₂ and Nb₂O₅) and at 700°C also the double oxide CoNb₂O₆, which formed from the Nb-rich Co₃Nb phase. No Nb-depleted layer formed in the alloy at the interface with the region of internal oxidation at these temperatures. Upon oxidation at 800°C a transition between internal and external oxidation of niobium was observed, especially for Co–30Nb. This corrosion mode is associated with the development of a single-phase, Nb-depleted region at the surface of the alloy. The corrosion mechanism of these alloys is examined with special reference to the effect of the low solubility of niobium in cobalt and to the relation between the microstructures of the alloys and of the scales.     

The sulfidation behavior of Co-Mo alloys containing various ternary additions

The sulfidation behavior of Co-Mo-X alloys, where X is Al, Cr, Mn, or Ti, has been studied over the temperature range 600 or 700°C to 900°C in 10^–2 atm. sulfur vapor to determine the effectiveness of the various ternary elements at reducing the sulfidation rate relative to Co-Mo alloys. For comparative purposes, each ternary alloy contained a constant atomic proportion (i.e., 55Co, 20Mo, and 25X). All of the alloys were multiphase, and sulfidized to form complex, multilayered scales. The scales usually consisted of an outer layer of cobalt sulfide, an intermediate layer that contained primarily the ternaryelement sulfide, and an inner layer which was heterophasic. Usually, each phase within the multiphase alloy sulfidized independently of one another. In the region of the alloy/scale interface there was often a narrow band of fine porosity (transitional band) together with fine precipitates that separated the inner sulfide from the base alloy. It was found that Al and Cr improved the sulfidation resistance of the Co-Mo binary alloy, whereas Mn had the opposite effect. The Ti-containing alloy underwent a mixed sulfidation/oxidation process, so that its kinetics were inapplicable. Aluminum was found to exert the most beneficial effect. The sulfidation behavior of Co-Mo-Al alloys containing a range of Al concentrations was studied at both 700 and 900°C. It was found that for Al to be effective, a sufficient amount of the spinel, Al_0.55Mo₂S₄, had to form within the inner portion of the scale.     

The oxidation of Ni-Nb alloys at low-oxygen pressures at 600–800°C

The oxidation of two Ni–Nb alloys containing 15 and 30 wt.% Nb has been studied at 600–800° C in H₂–CO₂ mixtures providing an oxygen pressure of 10^–24 atm at 600° C and 10^–20 atm O₂ at 700 and 800° C, these pressures being less than the dissociation pressure of nickel oxide. The scales formed on both alloys at 600 and 700° C show only a region of internal oxidation composed of a mixture of alpha nickel and niobium oxides (Nb₂O₅ or/and NbO₂), which formed from both the metal phases present, i.e., Ni₈Nb and Ni₃Nb. Only small, or even no, Nb depletion was observed in the alloys close to the interface with the zone of internal oxidation at these temperatures. On the contrary, samples of both alloys corroded at 800° C produced a continuous external scale of niobium oxides without internal oxidation. The corrosion mechanism of these alloys is examined with special reference to the effect of the low solubility of niobium in nickel.     

The corrosion behavior of Ni-Nb alloys in a mixed gas of H2-H2O-H2S

The corrosion behavior of Ni-Nb alloys containing up to 40 wt.% Nb was studied over the temperature range of 550–800°C in a mixed H₂/H₂O/H₂S gas. The scales formed on all alloys were multilayered. The outer scale was single-phase Ni₃S₂, while the structure and constitution of the inner scale depended on alloy composition and reaction conditions. Internal oxidation has been found in Ni-20Nb and Ni-30Nb, external oxidation has been observed on Ni-34Nb. Platinum markers were located at the interface between the outer scale and inner scale. The decrease in corrosion rate with increasing Nb content may be attributed to the presence of increasing amounts of Ni-Nb double sulfides as well as to the presence of Nb₂O₅ in the inner region of the scale.     

High-temperature corrosion of Co-15Mo alloys containing ternary additions of Al in mixed-gas environments

The corrosion behavior of Co-15 at.% Mo alloys containing up to 20at.% Al in gaseous H ₂ -H ₂ O-H ₂ S mixtures was studied over the temperature range of 600–900°C. The corrosion kinetics of all alloys followed the parabolic rate law over the temperature range of interest. Corrosion resistance increased with increasing aluminum content. Complex scales formed on the alloys, consisting of an outer layer of cobalt sulfide and a heterophasic inner layer. Al ₂ O ₃ formed only at high temperatures in alloys having aluminum additions of 15at.% or more. The absence of Al ₂ O ₃ in some cases is due to the small volume fraction of the intermetallic phase CoAl in the alloys and the nature of the slow growth rate of Al ₂ O ₃.Improvement in corrosion resistance is attributed to the presence of a ternary sulfide, Al _0.55 Mo ₂ S ₄,and Al ₂ O ₃ in the inner layer.     

The corrosion of two NiNb alloys under 1 atm O2 at 600–800 °C

The oxidation of two NiNb alloys containing 15 and 30 wt% Nb has been studied at 600–800 °C in pure oxygen under 1 atm O₂ at 600–800 °C. The scales formed on both alloys under all conditions show an external scale, generally duplex, containing an outermost layer of nearly pure NiO and an innermost region of NiO mixed with the double NiNb oxide NiNb₂O₆. Moreover, the samples corroded at all temperatures also show a region of internal oxidation composed of a mixture of alpha nickel and niobium oxides (Nb₂O₅ or/and NbO₂), which formed from both alloy phases Ni₈Nb and Ni₃Nb. No important depletion of niobium was observed in the alloy close to the interface with the zone of internal oxidation, while the depth of this region is generally much higher than measured for the corrosion of the same alloys under low oxygen pressures at the same temperatures. The corrosion mechanism of these alloys is examined with special reference to the effects of the low solubility of niobium in nickel.     

The corrosion behavior of Ni-Al alloys and Ni-Nb-Al alloys in a H2/H2O/H2S gas mixture

The corrosion behavior of two Ni-Al alloys and four Ni-Nb-Al alloys was studied over the temperature range of 600° C to 1000° C in a mixed-gas of H₂/H₂O/H₂S. The parabolic law was generally followed, although linear kinetics were also observed. Multiple-stage kinetics were observed for the Ni-Al alloys. Generally, the scales formed on Ni-13.5Al and Ni-Nb-Al alloys were multilayered, with an outer layer of nickel sulfide with or without pure Ni particles and a complex inner scale. The outer scale became porous and discontinuous with increasing temperature. Very thin scales formed on Ni-31Al. The reduction in corrosion rate with increasing Al content is ascribed to the formation of Al₂O₃ and Al₂S₃ in the scale. Platinum markers were found at the interface between the outer and inner scales.     

The corrosion of Co-Nb alloys in reducing/oxidizing-sulfidizing gases at 600–800°C

The corrosion of the two pure metals and of two alloys containing 15 and 30 wt% Nb has been studied at 600–800°C in H₂-H₂S-CO₂ gas mixtures providing 10⁻⁸ atm S₂ at all temperatures and 10⁻²⁴ atm O₂ at 600°C and 10⁻²⁰ atm O₂ at 700 and 800°C. The corrosion kinetics were rather complex, being sometimes parabolic and in other cases nearly linear. Under a constant temperature the addition of niobium generally reduced the corrosion rate, except at 700°C when pure cobalt corroded more slowly than the two alloys. The corrosion rates for the same material decreased with an increase in temperature under the same sulfur pressure. Except at 800°C under 10⁻⁸ atm S₂, which is below the dissociation pressure of cobalt sulfide, the scales presented an outer layer of pure cobalt sulfide and an inner layer of complex composition containing a mixture of double sulfide, niobium oxide and in some cases of unreacted metallic cobalt particles. The addition of niobium was generally beneficial, the effect increasing with its concentration in the alloy, but the corrosion rates of the alloys were still much higher than that of pure niobium, mainly as a result of the lack of formation of a protective layer of niobium sulfide. The corrosion behavior is examined with special reference to the consequences of the low solubility of niobium in cobalt and to the relation between the microstructure of the alloys and the scales.     

The effect of Al on the corrosion behavior of Ni-Mo in a H2/H2O/H2S gas mixture

The corrosion behavior of seven Ni-Mo-Al alloys was investigated over the temperature range of 600–950°C in a mixed-gas atmosphere of H ₂/H ₂O/H ₂ S. The parabolic law was followed at low temperatures, while linear kinetics were generally observed at higher temperatures. At a fixed Mo content, the transition from parabolic to linear kinetics shifted to higher temperature with increasing Al concentration. Double-layered scales generally formed on alloys having a low Al content, consisting of an outer layer of nickel sulfide and a complex inner scale. The thickness of the outer scale and the inner scale decreased as the Al content increased. The outer scale became porous and discontinuous with increasing Al content and temperature. Al ₂ O ₃ was detected in the scales of all alloys corroded at higher temperatures ( 800°C), even though the amount of Al ₂ O ₃ was very small in some cases. The decrease in corrosion rate with increasing Al content may be attributed to the formation of Al ₂ O ₃,Al _0.55 Mo ₂ S ₄,and Al ₂ S ₃ in the inner scale.     

The corrosion behavior of Fe-Al alloys in H2/H2S/H2O atmospheres at 700–900°C

The corrosion behavior of five Fe-Al binary alloys containing up to 40 at. % Al was studied over the temperature range of 700–900°C in a H₂/H₂S/H₂O mixture with varying sulfur partial pressures of 10^–7–10^–5 atm. and oxygen partial pressures of 10^–24–10^–2° atm. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law in all cases, regardless of temperature and alloy composition. The parabolic rate constants decreased with increasing Al content. The scales formed on Fe-5 and –10 at.% Al were duplex, consisting of an outer layer of iron sulfide (FeS or Fe_1–xS) and an inner complex scale of FeAl₂S₄ and FeS. Alloys having intermediate Al contents (Fe-18 and –28 at.% Al) formed scales that consisted of mostly iron sulfide and Al₂O₃ as well as minor a amount of FeAl₂S₄. The amount of Al₂O₃ increased with increasing Al content. The Fe 40 at.% Al formed only Al₂O₃ at 700°C, while most Al₂O₃ and some FeS were detected at T800°C. The formation of Al₂O₃ was responsible for the reduction of the corrosion rates.     

The high-temperature corrosion of Fe-Nb alloys in a H2/H2O/H2S gas mixture

The corrosion of Fe-Nb alloys containing up to 40 wt.% Nb has been studied over the temperature range 600–980°C in a mixed gas of constant composition having sulfur and oxygen pressures ranging from 10^–8 to 10^–4 atm. and from 10^–27 to 10^–18 atm., respectively. All alloys were two-phase, consisting of an Fe-rich solid solution and an intermetallic compound, Fe₂Nb. The scales formed on the Fe-Nb alloys were duplex, consisting of an outer layer of iron sulfide (FeS) and an inner complex layer of Fe_xNbS₂(FeNb₂S₄ or FeNb₃S₆), FeS and unreacted Fe₂Nb. No oxides were detected at any temperature. The addition of Nb reduced the corrosion rate. The corrosion kinetics of Fe-Nb alloys followed the parabolic rate law, regardless of alloy composition and temperature. Platinum markers, attached to the original alloy surfaces, were always located at the interface between the inner and outer scales.     

Oxidation characteristics of Ti3Al-Nb alloys and improvement in the oxidation resistance by pack aluminizing

The oxidation behavior of three T_i3-Al-Nb alloys: Ti-25Al-11Nb, Ti-24Al-20Nb, and Ti-22Al-20Nb was investigated in the temperature range of 700–900°C in air. The uncoated alloy Ti-25Al-11Nb showed the lowest weight gain with nearly parabolic oxidation rate; while the other two alloys had much higher weight gain, accompanied by excessive oxide scale spalling. The scale analysis, using XRD, SEMIEDAX, and AES revealed that the scale was a mixture of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Nb₂O₅ with the outer layer rich in TiO₂. The effect of variation in Al and Nb content on the oxidation behavior is discussed. A decrease in Al content of the alloy adversely affects the oxidation resistance; and it seems that a Nb content as high as 20 at.% is also not beneficial. Hence these alloys, especially Ti-24Al-20Nb and Ti-22Al-20Nb, should not be used in the as-received condition above 750°C. An attempt was made to improve the oxidation resistance of these alloys by pack aluminizing which led to the formation of an Al rich TiAl₃ surface layer doped with Nb. The coating process was gaseous-diffusion controlled with a parabolic Al deposition rate. The weight gains for the aluminized alloy specimens oxidized at 900°C in air were much lower than that of the uncoated specimens. The weight gains were further decreased in the case of Si-modified aluminized specimens. The scale analysis revealed an alumina-rich scale with some amount of titania doped with Nb. The improvement in the oxidation resistance of the pack-aluminized alloys at 900°C is attributable to the formation of the alumina-rich oxide scale. The addition of Si to the aluminizing pack seems to promote further the growth of an alumina-rich scale by lowering the oxygen partial pressure in the system.     

The corrosion of Ni3Al in a combustion gas with and without Na2SO4-NaCl deposits at 600–800°C

The corrosion behavior of Ni₃Al containing small additions of Ti, Zr, and B in combustion gases both with and without Na₂SO₄–NaCl deposits at 600–800°C has been studied for times up to four days. The corrosion of the saltfree Ni₃Al leads to the formation of very thin alumina scales at 600°C but of mixed NiO–Al₂O₃ scales containing also some sulfur compounds at higher temperatures, while the rate increases with temperature up to 800°C. The presence of the salt deposits considerably accelerates the corrosion rate, especially at 600 and 800°C. The duplex scales formed at 600°C are composed mostly of a mixture of NiO and unreacted salt in the outer layer and of alumina and aluminum sulfide with some nickel compounds in the inner layer. The scales grown at 700°C contain only one layer of complex composition, while those grown at 800°C are similar but have an additional outer layer containing similar amounts of nickel and aluminum. At 600 and 700°C NiSO₄ can be detected also in the salt layer. The samples corroded at 700°C and 800°C also show an Al-depleted zone containing titanium sulfide precipitates at the surface of the alloy. The hot corrosion of Ni₃Al involves a combination of various mechanisms, including fluxing of the oxide scale as well as mixed oxidation-sulfidation attack. At all temperatures Ni₃Al shows poor resistance to hotcorrosion attack as a result of the formation of large amounts of Ni compounds in the scales.     

The high-temperature corrosion behavior of Fe-Mo-Al alloys in H2/H2O/H2S mixed-gas environments

The corrosion behavior of 11 Fe-Mo-Al ternary alloys was studied over the temperature range 700–980°C in H₂/H₂O/H₂S mixed-gas environments. With the exception of Fe-10Mo-7Al, for which breakaway kinetics were observed at higher temperatures, all alloys followed the parabolic rate law, despite two-stage kinetics which were observed in some cases. A kinetics inversion was observed for alloys containing 7 wt.% Al between 700–800°C. The corrosion rates of Fe-20Mo and Fe-30Mo were found to be reduced by five orders of magnitude at all temperatures by the addition of 9.1 or higher wt.% aluminum. The scales formed on low-Al alloys (5 wt.% Al) were duplex, consisting of an outer layer of iron sulfide (with some dissolved Al) and a complex inner of Al_0.55Mo₂S₄, FeMo₂S₄, Fe_1.25Mo₆S_7.7, FeS, and uncorroded FeAl and Fe₃Mo₂. Platinum markers were always located at the interface between the inner and outer scales for the low-Al alloys, indicating that outer-scale growth was due mainly to outward diffusion of cations (Fe and Al), while the inner scale was formed primarily by the inward flux of sulfur anions. Alloys having intermediate Al contents (7 wt.%) formed scales that consisted of FeS and Al₂O₃. The amount of Al₂O₃ increased with increasing reaction temperature. The high-Al-content alloys (9.1 and 10 wt.%) formed only Al₂O₃ which was responsible for the reduction of the corrosion rates.