On the reaction mechanism of nickel with SO2+O2/SO3

High-purity nickel has been reacted with 96% O₂+4% SO₂ at 700–900°C. The reaction has been studied at 700°C as a function of the total gas pressure (0.06–1 atm) and at 1 atm as a function of temperature (700–900°C). The reaction mechanism changes with the effective pressure of p(SO₃) in the gas. When NiSO₄ (NiO + SO₃ = NiSO₄) is formed on the scale surface, the scale consists of a two-phase mixture of NiO + Ni₃S₂; in addition, sulfur is enriched at the metal/scale interface. A main process in the reaction is rapid outward diffusion of nickel through the Ni₃S₂ phase in the scale; the nickel reacts with NiSO₄ to yield NiO, Ni₃S₂, and possibly NiS as an intermediate product. When NiSO₄ cannot be formed, the scale consists of NiO, and small amounts of sulfur accumulate at the metal/scale interface. It is proposed that the reaction under these conditions is primarily governed by outward grain boundary diffusion of nickel through the NiO scale, and in addition, small amounts of SO₂ migrate inward through the scale—probably along microchannels.     

Sulfide-forming features during oxidation of predeformed nickel in SO2

Loaded parts are exposed to hot corrosion to a greater extent than unloaded components. Pure nickel predeformed to various degrees by compression (up to 27%) has been oxidized in SO₂ at 600°C for different periods (22 to 95 hr). It has been shown that transport properties of the scale, formed on the initial metal surface containing physical defects, depend on their surface density. A general behavior was established for the same exposure (>70 hr): the higher the preliminary strain, the greater the amount of Ni₃S₂ in the scale. Nickel predeformed 21% and 27%, oxidized in SO₂ over 70 hr, formed scales consisting mainly of a single-phase Ni₃S₂ layer. An increase of the scale defectiveness accelerated attainment of heterogeneous equilibrium in a gas-scale system and intensified the formation of Ni₃S₂—the stable phase for the conditions used.     

The reaction of preoxidized nickel in SO2 at high temperatures

The reaction between preoxidized nickel and SO₂ was studied at 800–1000° C. The experimental methods consisted of thermogravimetry, metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. Sulfur accumulates in the surface layer of the metal during the SO₂ exposure. It is concluded that this is due to transport of SO₂ through the oxide scale. This leads in turn to formation of a Ni-S liquid solution which eventually ruptures the scale and causes an accelerated, breakaway reaction behavior. The induction period for the accelerated reaction increases with increased preoxidation and furthermore is influenced greatly by the microstructure of the oxide scale.     

Studies of the mechanism of reaction of nickel with SO2

The reaction of nickel with SO₂ has been studied. The composition and morphology of the scale formed in sulfur dioxide (1.013×10⁵ Pa) at 600°C and the transport phenomena occurring in the growing scale have been investigated. The experimental methods consisted of metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. The transport phenomena have been studied by the marker method and with the use of a³⁵S radioisotope. The scale was composed of a NiO and Ni₃S₂ mixture and grew by the outward diffusion of nickel and inward transport of SO₂ molecules through the discontinuities of the scale. It has been shown that outward transport of sulfur originating from grains of sulfide occurs.     

Thermodynamics of the Na2SO4-K2SO4-CoSO4 system and their relevance to low-temperature hot corrosion

Thermodynamic calculations and experiments were performed to determine the SO₃ partial pressures and temperatures at which K₂SO₄-CoSO₄ binary mixed liquid phases form on CoO and Co₃O₄ in the presence of K₂SO₄. The calculations and experiments are in excellent agreement. Similar calculations were also made of the compositions at the liquidus surface and the associated SO₃ partial pressures for the K₂SO₄-Na₂SO₄-CoSO₄ ternary system. These calculations show that the presence of K₂SO₄ substantially reduces the SO₃ partial pressures required to stabilize a liquid salt phase on the surface of oxidized cobalt alloys at 600–800°C. Consequently, at these temperatures the hot corrosion in coal-fired systems, where K levels are high, is expected to be worse than in oil-fired systems, where K levels are low. This prediction was confirmed by experiments in a pressurized fluidized bed coal combustor and in an atmospheric pressure burner rig.     

Effect of a marker material on the oxidation of nickel in sulfur dioxide

A marker study of nickel oxidation in SO₂ at 600°C has proved that after the reaction metallic markers (Au, Pt, W) are covered with a sulfide rim. This effect is not observed on quartz markers. The metallic markers make the intermediate NiO layer adjacent to them increase, whereas the quartz marker makes this layer disappear.     

The effect of K2SO4 additive in Na2SO4 deposits on low temperature hot corrosion of iron-aluminum alloys

To understand the effect of K₂SO₄ additive in an Na₂SO₄ deposit on low temperature hot corrosion, the corrosion behavior of Fe-Al alloys induced by Na₂SO₄+K₂SO₄ was compared to that by Na₂SO₄ alone, and sulfation of Fe₂O₃ in the presence of either Na₂SO₄ or Na₂SO₄+K₂SO₄ was studied. It was found that K₂SO₄ additive promoted the low temperature hot corrosion, but did not change the corrosion-mechanism. Experimental results refuted the prior suggestions that the accelerated hot corrosion resulted either from the formation of K₃Fe(SO₄)₃ or from the stimulation of sulfation of Fe₃O₃. The earlier formation of the eutectic melt caused the accelerated hot corrosion, or in other words, the K₂SO₄ additive shortened the induction stage of hot corrosion.     

High-temperature oxidation of 1.25Cr-0.5Mo steel in SO2

The oxidation kinetics of 1.25Cr-0.50Mo steel under different thermal cycling conditions in the range of 520–700°C in a 2000 ppm SO ₂-argon gas mixture have been studied by thermogravimetric techniques. The influence of the number of thermal cycles experienced by the specimen has been determined on the oxidation process. Characterization of the scales was performed by scanning electron microscopy, and it was found that the nature of the scale is a function of oxidation temperature.     

Transport of sulfur in the scale growing on nickel in sulfur dioxide atmosphere at 873 K

SO₂ labeled with³⁵S radioisotope was used to study the diffusion of sulfur in scales growing on nickel in sulfur-dioxide atmosphere at 873 K. It was observed that in addition to the inward molecular transport of SO₂, outward diffusion of sulfur also occurred. This diffusion occurred mainly through the grain boundaries of the scale [D_G873=3×10^–7cm²/s]. The liberation of sulfur inside the scale was caused by the reaction of Ni₃S₂ with oxygen or with sulfur dioxide.     

Accelerated oxidation of iron induced by Na2SO4 deposits in oxygen at 750°C—A new type low-temperature hot corrosion

Na ₂ SO ₄ -induced accelerated corrosion of iron in oxygen at 750°C was observed. EDX, XRD, SEM, EPMA and some chemical examinations were carried out to understand the corrosion mechanism. The accelerated oxidation was attributed to the formation of abundant sulfide which has a highly defected lattice and allows rapid diffusion of iron ions. The sulfide resulted in turn from the formation of a liquid phase which was a eutectic melt of Na ₂ SO ₄ and Na ₂ O. The formation of and other possible effects of the melt were discussed. The accelerated oxidation was compared with the usual low-temperature hot corrosion, showing that it has most of the characteristics of low-temperature hot corrosion except that it occurred under basic conditions developed by the removal of sulfur from the sulfate deposits instead of the usual acidic conditions established by the SO ₃ in the atmosphere.     

Effect of Na2SO4 and Water Vapor on the Corrosion of Ti3SiC2

The corrosion behavior of polycrystalline Ti₃SiC₂ was studied in the presence of Na₂SO₄ deposit and water vapor at 900°C and 1000°C. The mass gain per unit area of the samples superficially coated with Na₂SO₄ exposed to water vapor was slightly lower than that of the samples corroded without water vapor. The microstructure and composition of the scales were investigated by SEM/EDS and XRD. Pores were observed in the corroded sample surfaces. The main corrosion phases on the sample surface were identified by XRD as TiO₂, Na₂Si₂O₅ and Na₂TiO₃. After Ti₃SiC₂ corroded in the presence of the Na₂SO₄ deposit and water vapor, the scale had a three-layer microstructure, which was different from the duplex corrosion scale formed on Ti₃SiC₂ beneath the Na₂SO₄ film without water vapor. Because water vapor penetrated the corrosion layer and then reacted with SiO₂ to form volatile Si(OH)₄, an intermediate porous and TiO₂-enriched layer formed in the corrosion layer.     

Na2SO4- and NaCl-Induced hot corrosion of six nickel-base superalloys

The short-time hot-corrosion behavior of six industrial nickel-base superalloys was investigated with static deposits of Na₂SO₄ or NaCl or both in still air. The oxidation kinetics and scale morphologies were measured with traditional laboratory techniques-thermobalance, metallography, electron microprobe, and x-ray analyses. Susceptibility to hot corrosion was found to be correlated to the type of scale produced during simple oxidation. Alloys forming an A1₂O₃ scale were found to be susceptible to Na₂SO₄ deposits, independent of their chromium content. The quantity of Na₂SO₄ deposit dictated the nature of the attack and, under certain conditions, the refractory element alloy additions appeared to play an essential role. Alloys containing Cr₂O₃ or TiO₂ in the simple oxidation scale proved to be sensitive to NaCl attack. Again, the severity of the attack within the susceptible alloy group was not related to the chromium or titanium content. Although less intensive than the Na₂SO₄ -induced hot corrosion, NaCl contaminations provoked extensive spalling. All of the hotcorrosion types encountered in this study were interpreted in the light of existing theories.Supported by the Délégation Générale à la Recherche Scientifique et Technique.     

Effect of alloy grain size and silicon content on the oxidation of austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni-Mn-Si alloys in a SO2-O2 gas mixture

Austenitic Fe-18Cr-20Ni-1.5Mn alloys containing 0, 0.6, and 1.5 wt.% Si were produced both by conventional and rapid solidification processing. The cyclic oxidation resistance of these alloys was studied at 900°C in a SO ₂-O ₂ gas mixture to elucidate the role of alloy microstructure and Si content on oxidation properties in bioxidant atmospheres. All the large-grained, conventionally processed alloys exhibited breakaway oxidation during cyclic oxidation due to their poor rehealing characteristics. The rapidly solidified, fine-grained alloys that contained less than 1.5 wt.% Si exhibited very protective oxidation behavior. There was considerable evidence of sulfur penetration through the protective chromia scale. The rapidly solidified alloys that contained 1.5 wt.% Si underwent repeated scale spallation that led to breakaway oxidation behavior. The scale spallation was attributed to the formation of an extensive silica sublayer in the presence of sulfur in the atmosphere.     

The Inhibitive Effect of Traces of SO2 on the Oxidation of Iron

The oxidation of Fe was investigated at 500–700°C in the presence of O₂ with 0–1000 ppm SO₂. The exposures were carried out in a thermobalance and lasted for 24 h. The oxidized samples were investigated by grazing-angle XRD, SEM/EDX, GDOES and XPS. The rate of oxidation of pure iron is slowed down by traces of O₂ in O₂ below 600°C while SO₂ has no effect on oxidation rate at higher temperatures. Exposure to SO₂<600°C resulted in the formation of small amounts of sulfate at the gas/oxide interface. In addition, sulfur, probably sulfide, accumulated at the metal/oxide interface. The influence of SO₂ on oxidation rate is attributed to surface sulfate. The sulfur distribution in the scale is rationalized in terms of the thermodynamic stability of compounds in the Fe–O–S system. Exposure to SO₂ caused the formation of hematite whiskers.     

Sulfidation-oxidation of nickel and cobalt—reactions between the metals and their sulfates

A differential thermal, thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA) study shows that both nickel and cobalt react with their respective sulfates to form oxide (NiO or CoO) and sulfide (Ni₃S₂ or Co₉S₈ and Co₄S₃). In the case of the Ni+NiSO₄ reaction, it is clear that the reaction occurs at T < 530°C and may be a solid-state process. A similar process is found for the cobalt+CoSO₄ reaction. These reactions are briefly discussed with respect to studies of the oxidation-sulfidation of Co or Ni under conditions which produce the sulfate as a stable phase. It is proposed that the rate-determining step in these studies is the formation of the sulfate.     

The high-temperature oxidation behavior of vanadium-aluminum alloys

The oxidation behavior in air of pure vanadium, V-30Al, V-30Al-10Cr, and V-30Al-10Ti (weight percent) was investigated over the temperature range of 700–1000° C. The oxidation of pure vanadium was characterized by linear kinetics due to the formation of liquid V₂O₅ which dripped from the sample. The oxidation behavior of the alloys was characterized by linear and parabolic kinetics which combined to give an overall time dependence of 0.6–0.8. An empirical relationship of the form: W/A=Bt + Ct^1/2 + D was found to fit the data well, with the linear contribution suspected to be from V₂O₅ formation for V-30Al and V-30Al-10Cr, and a semi-liquid mixture of V₂O₅ and Al₂O₃ for V-30Al-10Ti. The parabolic term is presumed related to the formation of a solid mixture of V₂O₅ and Al₂O₃ for V-30Al and V-30Al-10Cr, and TiO₂ for V-30Al-10TiThe addition of aluminum was found to reduce the oxidation rate of vanadium, but not to the extent predicted by the theory of competing oxide phases proposed by Wang, Gleeson, and Douglass. This was attributed to the formation of a liquid-oxide phase in the initial stages of exposure from which the alloys could not recover. Ternary additions of chromium and titanium were found to decrease the oxidation rate further, with chromium being the most effective. The oxide scales of the alloys were found to be highly porous at 900° C and 1000° C, due to the high vapor pressure of V₂O₅ above 800° C.     

Modulated Phases in the Ba2SiO4-Ca2SiO4 System of A2BX4, K2SO4-related Structures

Abstract

The A₂BX₄ family of K₂SO₄-related structures have long been of interest to crystal chemists, largely due to the numerous different polymorphs and complicated sequences of phase transitions they sometimes exhibit as a function of temperature. For most such A₂BX₄ compounds, there are essentially only two distinct structure types or parent structures — a high-temperature, ?hexagonal‘ form isomorphous to α-K₂SO₄ and a lower-temperature, orthorhombic form isomorphous to β-K₂SO₄. In addition to these two prototype structures, however, there often exist weakly distorted, or modulated, variants. In the case of the Ba_2-xCa_xSiO₄ system, five such modulated variants have been found via an electron diffraction study and characterized. The characteristic satellite extinction conditions associated with the weak satellite reflections have been used to determine displacement eigenvectors and atomic displacement patterns associated with each of the observed modulation wave-vectors. The widespread occurrence of modulated phases within the A₂BX₄ family of K₂SO₄-related structures suggests an almost chronic instability to displacive modulation.     

The Hot Corrosion of Fe-Mn-Al–C Alloy with NaCl/Na2SO4 Coating Mixtures at 750°C

The high-temperature corrosion behavior of Fe-30.1Mn-9.7Al-0.77C alloy initially coated with 2 mg/cm² NaCl/Na₂SO₄ (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100 wt.%) deposits has been studied at 750°C in air. The result shows that weight-gain kinetics in simple oxidation reveals a steady-state parabolic rate law after 3 hr, while the kinetics with salt deposits all display multi-stage growth rates. The corrosion morphology of the alloy with 100% Na₂SO₄ coating is similar to that of simple oxidation. NaCl acts as the predominant corrosion species for Fe-Mn-Al-C alloy, inhibiting the formation of a protective oxide scale. For the alloy coated with over 50% NaCl in salts, NaCl induces selective oxidation of manganese and results in the formation of secondary ferrite in the alloy substrate as well as void-layers with different densities of voids layer by layer in the secondary-ferrite zone.     

Long term corrosion of X70 steel and iron in humid supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 impurities

Abstract

The corrosion of X70 steel and iron in supercritical CO₂/SO₂/O₂/H₂O environment were investigated after a 454 h exposure. Optical microscopy was applied to observe the morphology of etch pits and synthesise the three-dimensional morphology. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to detect the composition of product scales. Experimental results verified that the localised corrosion occurred on the X70 steel sample under corrosion product deposits. Ferrous sulphate, sulphur and iron sulphide were detected as the corrosion products.     

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.