Oxidation behavior of sintered 316L austenitic stainless steel-yttria composites with various additions

The oxidation behavior of sintered 316L austenitic stainless steel-Y₂O₃ composites and the effect of various additions, such as copper (up to 3 wt.%), bronze (up to 3 wt.%), phosphorus (up to 2 wt.%), and silicon (up to 5 wt.%) have been studied at 550°C inflowing oxygen at one atmosphere pressure for a maximum period of 9 hr. Among all the alloys studied, 316L-1% P showed excellent oxidation resistance. Under the general conditions, Cr₂O₃ is always the preferred protective scale. In general, Y₂O₃-containing composites showed greater oxidation as compared to 316L with other additions.