The influence of sulfides on the oxidation behavior of nickel-base alloys

The oxidation of presulfidized chromium, Ni?Cr, and Ni?Al alloys, and complex nickel base alloys was studied at 1000°C in 1.0 atm of oxygen. Sulfur-rich surface layers were produced in the pretreatment by using H₂S?H₂ mixtures. Presulfidized chromium oxidized at a rate similar to that of sulfur-free chromium. The oxidation rate of presulfidized Ni?Cr alloys was affected by sulfur only when liquid nickel sulfide was present which accelerated the oxidation rate by creating rapid diffusion paths through the Cr₂O₃ scale. The oxidation behavior of presulfidized Ni?Al alloys, with aluminum contents sufficient for the formation of a protective Al₂O₃ layer in the sulfur-free condition, was influenced by sulfur only when aluminum sulfide was formed in the presulfidation treatment which caused the Al₂O₃ scale to be porous. The oxidation behavior of nickel-base alloys containing both chromium and aluminum was insensitive to the presence of sulfides when the concentration of aluminum in the alloy was such that a protective Al₂O₃ scale was formed during oxidation of the sulfur-free alloy and aluminum sulfide was not formed in the presulfidizing treatment.