The influence of bromine on the gaseous oxidation of an austenitic stainless steel

The effects of bromine on the oxidation behaviour of an austenitic stainless steel have been studied in oxygen and a CO₂/10%CO mixture at 750°C and 1 atm total pressure. Supporting work has also been carried out on chromium and nickel with similar results. Bromine at 0·06 atm enhanced under certain circumstances the formation of oxide scale in oxygen, but led to the formation of volatile halides in the CO₂/CO mixture. The former effect was only obtained when the bromine was present at the commencement of oxidation, or preformed protective oxide films were fractured by thermal cycling.