Oxidation-sulfidation behavior of iron-chromium-nickel alloys

Oxidation-sulfidation studies of Fe-Cr-8Ni alloys with 4, 12, and 22 wt. % Cr were conducted at 750 and 875°C in multicomponent gas mixtures that contained CO, CO₂, CH₄, H₂, and H₂S. The reaction processes resulted in parabolic kinetics. A chromium concentration in the range 0–12 wt. % in the alloy had a negligible effect on the parabolic rate constant; however, the rate constant for the alloy with 22 wt. % Cr was significantly lower. For a given sulfur partial pressure, the oxygen partial pressures required for the formation of a continuous oxide layer in an Fe-22Cr-8Ni alloy were 10² to 10³ times those calculated for Cr-Cr₂O₃ equilibrium at temperatures of 875 and 750° C, respectively.Work supported by the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration.On visiting appointment from the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy, Cracow, Poland through a fellowship of the International Atomic Energy Agency.