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.     

Development,growth, and adhesion of Al2O3 on platinum-aluminum alloys

The development, growth, and adhesion of -Al₂O₃ scales on platinum-aluminum alloys containing between 0.5 and 6 wt.% aluminum have been studied at temperatures in the interval between 1000 and 1450° C. The morphologies and microstructures of the -Al₂O₃ scales were found to be influenced by the temperature, oxygen pressure, and the microstructures of the alloys. The oxidation rates of the alloys appeared to be controlled by transport of oxygen along grain boundaries in the -Al₂O₃ scales. The -Al₂O₃ scales adhered to the platinum-aluminum substrates even after extensive periods of cyclic oxidation. The good adhesion of the -Al₂O₃ may result from mechanical keying of the oxide to the alloys due to the development of irregular oxide-alloy interfaces.This work was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office, Durham, under Contract Number DAHCO 4 73 C 0021.     

The corrosion behavior of Ni-Mo alloys in a H2/H2O/H2S gas mixture

The corrosion behavior of Ni-Mo alloys containing up to 40 wt.% Mo was studied over the temperature range of 550–800C in a mixed gas of H₂/H₂O/ H₂S. The scales formed on all alloys contained only sulfides and were doublelayered. The outer scale was single-phase Ni₃S₂. Depending on the alloy composition and reaction conditions, the inner scale was: (1) a mixture of MoS₂ plus Ni₃S₂ with/without Ni, (2) MoS₂, or (3) MoS₂ plus intermetallic particles and/or double sulfide Ni_2.5Mo₆S_6.7. Neither internal oxidation nor internal sulfidation were observed at lower temperatures. Internal sulfidation was however observed at higher temperature when the scale apparently melted. The parabolic law was generally obeyed for the most concentrated alloys. For the two more-dilute alloys the kinetics were mostly linear. A decrease in the corrosion rate occurred with increasing Mo content of the alloy and may be attributed to the presence of increasing volume fractions of MoS₂ and/or of a double Ni-Mo sulfide in the inner region of the scale. For the two most concentrated alloys this may also be due to the presence of a number of particles of the unsulfidized intermetallic compound, which is Ni₃Mo for Ni-30Mo, but NiMo for Ni-40Mo.     

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.     

Effect of preoxidation and Ti or Hf additions on the corrosion behavior of Fe-23Cr-5Al alloys in Ar-10SO2 at 1200 K

An Fe-23Cr-5Al alloy and those containing 0.21% Ti or 0.12% Hf were cyclically corroded in flowing Ar-10SO₂ gas under atmospheric pressure and in a temperature range varying from room temperature to 1200 K. The corrosion kinetics were assessed by gravimetry, while morphological examinations were carried out using x-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and microanalysis. Similar corrosion tests and examinations of the corrosion products were performed for the specimens preoxidized at 1200 K for 20 ksec in pure oxygen under atmospheric pressure. The main corrosion product under all the experimental conditions was -alumina, growing mainly outward in the form of thin needles. Many voids formed beneath the adherent scales. The degree of outward growth decreased by the additives. Partial spallation and formation of scales repeated on the base alloy, resulting in continuous mass losses. The addition of Ti prevented scale spallation, resulting in gradual mass gains; whereas the addition of Hf resulted in poorly adherent scales, under which grooving at alloy grain boundaries and void formation inside the grains occurred. Preoxidation resulted in the formation of adherent scales on all the alloys; however, with increasing corrosion cycles, the outward growth of the oxide became significant. Penetration of sulfur to the substrate under the adherent scale took place.     

Sulfidation behavior of Fe-25Cr-20Ni-1.5Al2O3 in simulated coal combustion/gasification environments

The effect of minor addition of -Al₂O₃ dispersoids on the sulfidation behavior of Fe-25Cr-20Ni was investigated over a range of pO₂, 1.13×10^–20 to 1.18×10 ****^–22 atm. at constant pS₂=1.22×10^–8 atm. Fe-25Cr-20Ni and Fe-25Cr-20Ni 1.5 Al₂O₃ with and without preformed oxide scales were exposed to bioxidant gas mixtures H₂/H₂O/H₂S/Ar at 700° C. Both isothermal and cyclic exposures were included. Scales were characterized by a combination of several surface analytical tools. A remarkable improvement in sulfidation resistance is observed in Fe-25Cr-20Ni-1.5Al₂O₃ under the conditions investigated here. This is attributed to the ability of the alloy to form and maintain a predominantly Cr₂O₃ scale with reduced Fe-diffusion and content. Possible scientific reasons for such improvement are discussed. The base alloy, Fe-25Cr-20Ni, fails to develop and retain such a Cr₂O₃ scale and undergoes sulfidation within a few minutes of exposure. The scale breakdown process by sulfidation is explained qualitatively. Experimental evidence suggests that sulfur in the environment enhances Fe-diffusion and content in the scale.     

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.     

High-temperature sulfidation of Fe-30Mo alloys containing ternary additions of Al

Fe-30Mo alloys containing up to 9.1 wt% Al were sulfidized at 0.01 atm sulfur vapor over the temperature range of 700–900°C. The sulfidation kinetics followed the parabolic rate law for all alloys at all temperatures. For alloys containing small and intermediate amounts of Al (<4.8 wt.%), a duplex sulfide scale formed. The outer layers of the scales were found to be relatively compact FeS in all cases; whereas the inner layers were composed of the layered compound MoS ₂ (intercalated with iron), the Chevrel compound Fe _x Mo ₆ S ₈,a spinel double sulfide Al _x Mo ₂ S ₄,depending on the Al content of the alloy and the sulfidation temperature. Extremely thin scales were found on the alloys with higher Al contents. Accordingly, extremely slow sulfidation rates were observed—even slower than the sulfidation rate of pure Mo. The transition of the sulfidation kinetics from a high-rate active mode to a low-rate passive mode requires both a critical Al content in the alloy and a critical Mo content. Because of the two-phase nature of the alloys, the latter requirement implies a critical volume fraction of the intermetallic second-phase in the alloy, which has been known as the multiphase effect. Interestingly, the multiphase effect in these alloys was also a function of the Al content in the alloys.     

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.     

Oxidation properties of Fe-5Cr-4Al (wt.%) alloys in oxygen at temperatures 1000°C–1320°C

Oxidation kinetics of a parent Fe-5Cr-4Al alloy subjected to two types of anneals were investigated at temperatures ranging from 1000°C to 1320°C. The alloy annealed at 850°C exhibited a rapid transient oxidation stage associated with growth of nodules containing iron oxides and internal precipitation of -Al₂O₃ in the alloy beneath these nodules. The nodules nucleated and grew from sites located in the regions of the alloy grain boundaries during the period of rapid alloy grain growth. Nodular growth virtually ceased when a continuous -Al₂O₃ film formed at the nodule-alloy interface. The alloy subjected to anneal at 1000°C and at the reaction temperature to stabilize the alloy grain size tended upon oxidation to form a protective -Al₂O₃, layer by parabolic kinetics at temperatures to 1250°C. If this alloy was oxidized in stages at 1000°C, a protective -Al₂O₃ scale was formed up to 1320°C. The temperature coefficient of the parabolic oxidation kinetics was consistent with diffusion processes at boundaries of the -Al₂O₃ grains playing an essential role during growth of this protective oxide layer.     

On the formation of interfacial and internal voids inα-Al2O3 scales

Microstructural observations were used as the basis for a discussion of the formation and growth of voids in alumina scales. Reactive-element additions to alloys and alloy desulfurization appear to inhibit the growth of interfacial voids, thus improving scale adhesion. This phenomenon is analyzed in terms of surface energies. In addition, a model is proposed for the formation of large internal voids in -A_l2O₃ scales. These voids appear to be too large to form as a result of vacancy coalescence and are more frequently observed in scales not doped with a reactive element. The model is based on a growth mechanism where inward and outward growing ridges at scale grain boundaries eventually seal off and form internal voids.     

The corrosion of Fe-Mo alloys in H2/H2O/H2S atmospheres

The corrosion of Fe-Mo alloys containing up to 40 wt.% Mo was studied over the temperature range 600–980C in a H₂/H₂O/H₂S mixture having a sulfur pressure of 10^–5 atm. and an oxygen pressure of 10^–20 atm. at 850C. All alloys were two-phase, consisting of an Fe-rich solid solution and an intermetallic compound, Fe₃Mo₂. The scales formed on Fe-Mo alloys were bilayered, consisting of an outer layer of iron sulfide (FeS) and of a complex inner layer whose composition and microstructure were a function of the reaction temperature and of the Mo content of the alloys. No oxides formed under any conditions. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law at all temperatures. The addition of Mo caused only a slight decrease of the corrosion rate. Platinum markers were always located at the interface between the inner and outer scales, indicating that outer scale growth was primarily due to outward diffusion of iron, while the inner scale growth had a contribution from inward diffusion of sulfur.     

Sulfidation—oxidation behavior of alloy 800H in SO2-O2 and H2-H2S-CO-CO2 atmospheres

The high-temperature-corrosion behavior of alloy 800H has been studied in an oxidizing (SO₂–O₂, =0.23 atm, =1.9×10^–29 atm) and a reducing (H₂–H₂S–CO–CO₂–N₂, =1.5×10^–18 atm =4.3×10^–8 atm, a_c=0.03) sulfidizing environment, at 750°C and 850°C, respectively. When corroded in SO₂–O₂, the protective chromia scale which developed on the alloy in the early stages cracked and spalled in quite a short time period. This led to the growth of iron and nickel sulfides beneath the chromia layer, causing more chromia spallation. When correded in H₂–H₂S–CO–CO₂–N₂, the alloy exhibited breakaway corrosion in about 35hr, at which stage liquid nodules formed on the sample surface. The nodules were studied in detail and were found to consist of three layers. The growth mechanism of such nodules is proposed.     

The air oxidation of an austenitic Fe-Mn-Cr stainless steel for fusion-reactor applications

The oxidation in air of an austenitic Fe-Mn-Cr steel containing 17.8 Mn, 9.5 Cr, 1.0 Ni, 0.27 C, and 0.03 N was studied over the range 700–1000°C. Oxidation of surface-abraded samples at low temperatures, 700–750°C, resulted in only Mn ₂O₃ containing dissolved chromium, except at corners, where large nodules containing spinel and manganowustite formed. The Mn₂O₃ layer grew into the substrate forming a globular-type film. This growth mode was the result of slow interdiffusion in the alloy after the cold-worked surface layer had been recrystallized and/or consumed, as evidenced by the formation of a ferrite layer subjacent to the scale and by the instability of the planar interface. No internal oxidation was observed beneath the Mn₂O₃ film at either 700 or 750°C. Samples oxidized in thehigh-temperature region, 800–1000°C, exhibited vastly different behavior, forming thick stratified scales at long times (24 hr), the scales consisting of a very thin outer layer of Mn₂O₃ (with appreciable iron in solution), Fe-Mn spinel beneath the outer layer, and a thick inner layer of manganowustite and a chromium-containing spinel. No chromium was found in the outer two layers. A thin layer of nearly pure Fe₂O₃ formed between Mn₂O₃ and the outer spinel. Quasiparabolic kinetics were observed. The high-temperature rates were about 10³ to 10⁴ times greater than at low temperatures at the transition temperature. The rapid rates at high temperatures were attributed to manganowustite growth. However, oxidation of an electropolished sample at 750°C, from which the superficial cold-worked layer had been removed, formed scales similar to those observed at high temperatures at comparable rates. A difference by a factor of over 10⁴ existed between the oxidation rate of the electropolished sample and the surface-abraded sample at 750°C. The much slower oxidation rate of the latter is attributed to greatly enchanced manganese diffusion through the high dislocation-density, cold-worked layer. Short-time tests at 800°C revealed an incubation period during which a thin protective layer of Mn²O₃ formed. The incubation period corresponded to the recrystallization time of the cold-worked layer. Subsequently, nodular growth occurred which was associated with internal oxidation. The nodules, consisting of spinel and manganowustite, eventually linked up to form a thick, stratified scale. Comparison of the scale structures with calculated phase diagrams of composition versus oxygen activity (at constant temperature), showed that the protective films formed at low temperatures were due to kinetics factors, involving enhanced manganese diffusion through the cold-worked layer, rather than to thermodynamics. A model for the breakdown of protective films is proposed which involves internal oxidation.     

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.     

The effect of an Al2O3 dispersion on the adhesion of Al2O3 scales on aluminized Co-10% Cr alloys

The beneficial effect of dispersions of reactive-metal oxide particles on the adhesion of Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ scales formed on heat-resisting alloys is wellknown. It has been shown that an Al₂O₃ dispersion in an alloy can improve the adhesion of a Cr₂O₃ scale, and it is of particular interest in assessing the various theoretical proposals for the effect to determine whether such a dispersion can affect the adhesion of an Al₂O₃ scale. In this investigation, a Co–10% Cr–1 % Al alloy was first internally oxidized to form an Al₂O₃ dispersion. This alloy was then aluminized so that on subsequent oxidation an Al₂O₃ scale developed. It was shown that the dispersion did indeed improve the scale adhesion. The implications of this result are discussed.     

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 influence of platinum on the maintenance of α-Al2O3 as a protective scale

The influence of externally located platinum on the isothermal stability of -Al₂O₃ scales formed at high temperatures has been examined. It has been observed that a nickel-base alloy forms an external scale of -Al₂O₃ during oxidation at 1200°C, but this scale breaks down isothermally, enabling a faster-growing Cr₂O₃-rich scale to develop. However, in the presence of platinum metal alongside the specimen in the furnace hot zone, the breakdown of the -Al₂O₃ scale is postponed for a substantial period of time. It appears that platinum, as the volatile species PtO₂, is incorporated into the growing -Al₂O₃ scale where it either influences the stress relief mechanism at temperature or reduces oxidation growth stress generation and thus significantly enhances the isothermal stability of the scale.     

Reoxidation of chromium with densified Cr2O3 Scales

Preoxidized chromium specimens have been high vacuum annealed at 1200° and 1300°C to produce densified Cr ₂O₃ scales. These specimens have been reoxidized at the same temperatures at 10^–6 atm O₂. The initial reoxidation is linear with time and is concluded to reflect a volume diffusion controlled transport through the densified scale. The corresponding parabolic rate constant (w² = k_pt)is given by k_p=1.4 · 10^–2 exp(–235,000/RT)(gram of O) ²/cm⁴ sec. It is tentatively concluded that outward chromium diffusion predominates in an inner layer of the Cr₂O₃ scales and inward oxygen diffusion in an outer layer. Under the experimental conditions it has not been possible to maintain growth of the Cr₂O₃ scales controlled by volume diffusion. The new oxide layer consists of fine crystallites; the oxide grows at grain boundaries within the scales. This causes sideways growth of the scale, breakdown of the originally densified layer, and an increased rate of reaction.     

Effects of yttrium and zirconium additions on the high-temperature sulfidation behavior of an Fe−10Mo−20Al−8Mn alloy

The effects of zirconium and yttrium additions on the sulfidation behavior of an Fe–10Mo–20Al–8Mn(a/o, atom percent) alloy were examined in flowing H₂/H₂S gas of 4Pa sulfur partial pressure at 900°C. Good scale protection was obtained during the initial reaction stage of the base alloy. However, after 7–8 hr, the formation of internal (Mn,Fe) Al₂S₄ platelets triggered breakdown of the protective scale. The reaction products of the zirconium-containing alloy were nonprotective. Yttrium addition resulted in an Y(Fe_1–xAl_x)₁₂ network along the alloy ferrite grain boundaries. Preferential sulfidation of this phase led to almost complete manganese depletion from the engulfed ferrite, and consequently avoided the manganese-promoted scale breakdown.After an even slower initial stage, this alloy sulfidized at a parabolic rate two orders of magnitude slower than that of pure iron. The protection during the initial and following stages was believed to be provided by an Al₂O₃-containing layer and an Al_0.55Mo₂S₄+Fe_xMo₆S_8–z layer, respectively. The formation of Al₂O₃ is thought to be due to oxygen impurities in the H₂S gas, which cannot be removed by conventional means.