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.     

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.     

High-temperature sulfidation behavior of Ni-Nb alloys

The sulfidation properties of Ni-Nb alloys containing additions of niobium up to 40 wt.% have been studied at atm over the temperature range 550-700 °C. The sulfidation reactions followed the parabolic rate law; the sulfidation rates decreased with increasing amounts of niobium. An Arrhenius plot of the rate constants gave activation energies of 25.0+3.5 kcal/ mole. The scales formed on Ni-Nb alloys were multilayered, generally consisting of an outer layer of nickel sulfide ( NiS_1+x and Ni₃S₂) and an inner complex layer of NiNb₃S₆ plus NbS₂. The position of the original metal surface was notedy platinum-wire marker experiments to be the interface between the inner andouter layers. The location of the marker indicates that the outer layer, generally greater in thickness than the inner layer, grew by outward diffusion of the nickel cations, and the inner layer formed probably by the inward diffusion of sulfur. Neither preferential sulfidation nor internal sulfidation was observed. The development of the scale structures from the transient stage to steady state was also studied.     

Effect of some ternary additions on the sulfidation of Ni-Mo alloys

Five ternary additions, Cr, Ti, Mn, V, and Al were studied at equi-atomicpercent levels (17 a/o) for their effect on the sulfidation behavior of Ni-19a/o Mo (28–30 w/o) over the range of 600–800°C in 0.01 atm S₂. Al was by far the most effective addition. A linear decrease in log k_p vs. Al content was observed up to 7.5w/o Al, beyond which no further change was observed. All alloys followed the parabolic rate law. Arrhenius plots gave activation energies of 36.9–41.2 Kcal/mol for alloys containing Ti, Cr, Mn, and V, whereas the activation energies for Al-containing alloys were 47.2 Kcal/mol, indicating that a different diffusion process was involved. Complex scales were formed on all alloys, consisting of an outer layer of Nis_1+x and complex inner layers which depended upon alloy composition. Two alloys, those with Cr and Mn, formed intermediate layers of Cr₂S₃ and MnS, respectively, but these layers had little effect on the kinetics. MoS₂ was a constituent of the inner scales except for the alloys with Al. A ternary sulfide, Al_0.55Mo₂S₄ and Al₂S₃ were observed. The presence of the mixed sulfide was always associated with the low sulfidation rates. The formation of MoS₂ on alloys results in a different, less-protective behavior than for MoS₂ formed on pure Mo. This effect is due to the intercalation of Ni into MoS₂ in octahedral positions between the weakly bonded layers of covalently bonded sheets of trigonal prisms. The size of Al⁺³ is too small to be intercalated, and thus MoS₂ is destabilized by Al.     

Effect of Al on the high-temperature sulfidation of Fe-30Nb

Fe-30Nb-Al alloys containing up to 9.1 wt.% Al were sulfidized at 0.01 atm sulfur vapor over the temperature range of 600–900°C. The sulfidation kinetics followed the parabolic rate law for all the alloys at all temperatures. The parabolic rate constants decreased with increasing Al content. Extremely slow sulfidation rates, even slower than that of pure Nb at low temperatures, were observed for alloys containing high Al (>4.8 wt.%). Duplex sulfide scales formed on alloys containing small amounts of Al. The outer layers were compact FeS, while the inner layers were a double sulfide, Fe _xNb₂S₄,containing partially sulfidized intermetallic islands. Very thin scales formed on the alloys containing high Al, but the nature of the scales is unknown. The intercalation of Al into the Nb-sulfides and the associated charge transfer induced a blockage of the transport of iron through the sulfide as well as a greater incorporation of Nb into the scale.     

A method for long-term sulfidation of metal at low sulfur pressures and its application to sulfidation of an Fe-20 at.% Al alloy at 1023 K

A method of long-term Sulfidation that involves generating sulfur vapor from dissociation of Ag₂S or from transformation of NiS to Ni₃S_2+x is described. Sulfidation tests of iron samples showed the approach to be essentially valid. At 1023 K, Ag₂S dissociation of Ag₂S gives rise to atm and, in the presence of an inert carrier gas, efficient transport of sulfur to the metal was effected. Liberated silver grew in the form of discrete whiskers, hence did not interfere with continued dissociation of Ag₂S. Equilibration of NiS with Ni₃S_2+x occurs at atm at 1023 K but, with continued loss of sulfur to the metal, the nonstoichiometric Ni₃S_2±x predominates and the ambient is no longer constant. Thus for long-term studies, Sulfidation with NiS/Ni₃S_2+x mixtures is suitable only for metals that sulfidize slowly or at rates independent of the ambient . Using mainly the NiS-Ni₃S_2+x mixture as sulfur source, sulfidation tests up to 72 h at 1023 K were conducted on an Fe-20 at.% Al alloy. Sulfidation was apparently insensitive to the ambient and formation of a three-layer FeS/(Fe, Al)₃S₄/Al₂S₃ scale with internal precipitation zone proceeded at similar rates, and a relationship involving coupled diffusion is proposed. At longer exposure times, transformation of FeS to (Fe, Al)₃S₄ became extensive. Mechanical failure of the scale, followed by rapid healing beneath the original precipitation, also occured after extended reaction periods (>50 hr).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the sulfidation of Fe-Mo alloys

Iron-molybdenum alloys containing up to 40 wt.% molybdenum were exposed to sulfur vapor at a partial pressure of 0.01 atm at temperatures of 600–900°C. Sulfidation kinetics were measured over periods of up to 8 hr using a quartz-spring thermogravimetric method. The sulfidation kinetics of all alloys studied obeyed the parabolic rate law. The sulfidation rate of iron was found to be reduced by factors of 60 at 900°C and 120 at 600°C by the addition of 40 wt.% molybdenum. Duplex sulfide scales formed on all alloys at all temperatures, the scales consisting of an inner layer of mostly MoS₂ and an outer layer of FeS. Platinum markers were located at the interface between the outer and inner scales, showing that outward iron diffusion and inward sulfur diffusion through the inner layer occurred. The improved sulfidation resistance was attributed to the formation of the MoS₂, which acted as a partially protective barrier to the diffusion of the reacting species. Sulfidation activation energies were found to range from 24.3 to 28.5 kcal mole for the alloys compared to 20.6 kcal/mole, for pure iron. The rate-controlling step was outward iron diffusion through the outer iron sulfide layer.     

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 effect of preoxidation on the sulfidation of Ni-20Cr (2–5)Al Alloys

Ni-20Cr alloys with 2, 3.5, and 5 wt.% Al have been preoxidized up to 100 hr at 1000°C in dry H₂, in H₂/23% H₂O and in air and subsequently exposed to an H₂/5% H₂S atmosphere at 750° C. During the preoxidation treatment different types of oxide scales were formed which affect the sulfidation protection in different ways. Optimum results were obtained for alloys with 3.5 and 5 wt.% Al after 20 hr exposure to dry H₂ at 1000°C. A thin Al₂O₃ scale is formed which decreases the sulfur attack by more than one order of magnitude. Preoxidation conditions for Ni-20Cr-2Al alloys in H₂ and for Ni-20Cr-2Al and Ni-20Cr-3.5Al in H₂/H₂O were observed to be less effective. No improvement was found for preoxidation in air or for Ni-20Cr-5Al alloys preoxidized in H₂/H₂O.     

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.     

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.     

High-temperature sulfidation of Mo-50 Wt.% Re

Mo-50Re was sulfidized over the range of 1000–1100°C in sulfur vapor at pressures of 10^–4 and 10^–2 atm. The reaction kinetics followed the parabolic rate law with an activation energy of 55.4 kcal/mole for and 48.2 kcal/mole for atm. The pressure dependence varied between +1/4 to +1/6 for the slope of a plot of log K_p vs log .Analysis of the diffusional processes occurring in both the scale and the alloy substrate gave an expression for the ratio of the thickness of the scale and of the -phase as a function of the corresponding rate constants for the growth of each layer. Finally, the conditions required for the formation of the -phase layer between the outer scale and the alloy substrate were obtained in terms of the ratio between the diffusion coefficients of the two metals in the intermetallic compound.     

Effects of sulfur pressure on the sulfidation behavior of 310 stainless steel

High-temperature sulfidation behavior of 310 stainless steel was studied over the temperature range of 700–900°C above a pure sulfur pool with the sulfurvapor range of 10^–4–10^–1 atm. The corrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law in all cases. The corrosion rates increased with increasing temperature and sulfur pressure. The scales formed on 310 stainless steel were complex and multilayered. The outer scale consisted of iron sulfide (with dissolved Cr), (Fe, Ni)₉S₈ and chromium sulfides (Cr₂S₃ and Cr₃S₄ with dissolved Fe), while the inner layer was a heterophasic mixture of Cr₂S₃, Cr₃S₄, NiCr₂S₄, and Fe₁–_xS. Platinum markers were found to be located at the interface between the inner and outer scales, suggesting that the outer scale grew by the outward transport of cations (Fe, Ni, and Cr), and the inner scale grew by the inward transport of sulfur. The formation of Cr₂S₃, Cr₃S₄, and NiCr₂S₄ partly blocked the transport of iron through the inner scale, resulting in a reduction of the corrosion rates as compared with the results in the literature.     

Effects of Mo and Al Additions on the Sulfidation Behavior of 310 Stainless Steel

The high-temperature sulfidation behavior of 310stainless steel (310SS) with Mo and Al additions (up to10 at.%) was studied over the temperature range700-900°C in pure-sulfur vapor over the range of 10^-3 to 10^-1 atm. Thecorrosion kinetics followed the parabolic rate law inall cases and the sulfidation rates increased withincreasing temperature and sulfur pressure. Thesulfidation rates decreased with increasing Mo and Al contents and it wasfound that the addition of 10 at.% Mo resulted in themost pronounced reduction among the alloys studied. Thescales formed on 310SS with Mo additions were complex, consisting of an outer layer of ironsulfide (with dissolved Cr), (Fe,Ni)₉S₈, andCr₂S₃/Cr₃S₄(with dissolved Fe), and an inner heterophasic layer ofFe_1-xS,Cr₂S₃/Cr₃S₄,NiCr₂S₄,Fe_1.25Mo₆S_7.7, FeMo₂S₄, andMoS₂. The scales formed on 310SS with Mo andAl additions had a similar mixture as above, except thatAl_0.55Mo₂S₄ was alsoobserved in the inner layer. The formation ofMoS₂ andAl_0.55Mo₂S₄ partly blocked the transport of cations throughthe inner scale, resulting in the reduction of thesulfidation rates compared to 310SS.     

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 high-temperature corrosion behavior of Co-Nb alloys in mixed-gas atmospheres

The corrosion of Co-Nb alloys containing up to 30 wt.% Nb in H₂-H₂S-H₂O gas mixtures was studied over the temperature range of 600–800°C. The gas composition falls in the stability region of cobalt sulfide and Nb₂O₅ in the phase diagrams of the Co-O-S and Nb-O-S systems at all temperatures studied. Duplex scales, consisting of an outer layer of cobalt sulfide and a complex, heterophasic inner layer, were formed at all temperatures studied. In addition to cobalt sulfide and CoNb₃S₆, a small amount of NbO₂ was found in the inner layer. The reason for the formation of NbO₂ over that of Nb₂O₅ in the scale is that the outer sulfide scale lowers the oxygen activity within the scale into the NbO₂-stability region. Two-stage kinetics were observed for all alloys, including an initial irregular stage usually followed by a steady-state parabolic stage. The steady-state parabolic rate constants decreased with increasing amounts of Nb, except for Co-20Nb corroded at 700°C. Nearly identical kinetics were observed for Co-20Nb corroded at 600°C and 700°C. The presence of NbO₂ particles leads only to a limited decrease of the available cross-section area for the outward-diffusing metal ions. The activation energies for all alloys are similar and are in agreement with those obtained in a study of the sulfidation of the same alloys. The primary corrosion mechanism involves an outward Co transport.     

Influence of Zr or Hf additions to Fe-23Cr-5Al on the protectiveness of preformed Al2O3 scales against sulfidation

An Fe-23Cr-5Al alloy and those containing 0.17 w/o Zr or 0.12 w/o Hf were oxidized to form -Al₂O₃ scales in a flow of pure O₂ at 1300 K for specified periods up to 400 ks, and subsequently sulfidized at 1200 K in an H₂ –10% H₂S atmosphere without intermittent cooling. The protectiveness of the preformed scale was evaluated by the protection time after which a remarkable mass gain takes place owing to the rapid growth of sulfides. In general, the protection time increases as the scale thickens. Both additives increase the protection time to some degree by forming more structurally perfect scales. However, ZrO₂ particles on or near the outer surface of the scale on the Zr-containing alloy provide sites for sulfide formation. The scales formed on the grain boundaries of the Hf-containing alloy are ridged. The tops of the ridges are associated with cracks, which provide preferential sites for sulfide growth.     

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.     

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 formation of aluminum oxide scales on high-temperature alloys

This paper is a brief review of the extensive literature relating to the formation of protective —Al₂O₃ scales on alloys at high temperature. Emphasis is placed on the proposed mechanisms of scale growth based on observations of scale morphologies and microstructures, inert-marker experiments and the distribution of oxygen isotope tracers within thermally-grown oxides. Attention is also given to the determination of ionic-transport mechanisms by electrochemical methods and to the effects of reactive elements such as yttrium in modifying ionic-diffusion processes.