A microstructural characterization of scale formed on austenitic Fe–29.7Mn–8.7Al–1.04C and duplex Fe–29Mn–10Al–0.4C alloys in oxidizing-sulfidizing environments

Austenitic Fe–29.7Mn–8.7Al–1.04C and duplex Fe–29Mn–10Al–0.4C alloys were exposed to the SO₂–O₂ mixed gas environments at 900 °C. The morphology of the scales formed on these alloys under oxidizing-sulfidizing conditions were examined by SEM and X-ray mapping techniques. The results showed that the addition of carbon up to 1 wt.% to the Fe–29.7Mn–8.7Al–1.04C alloy led to the formation of internal sulfidation and intergranular oxidation in the mixed oxidant gas environments. On the other hand, no evidence of intergranular oxidation could be detected in the duplex Fe–29Mn–10Al–0.4C alloy with lower carbon concentration.