Hot corrosion of Fe-10Cr-18Ni-5Mn-5Al-Si-N steels in molten sulfate deposits

The effect of Na₂SO₄ coating on the corrosion behaviour of 5 steel alloys as well as two commercial alloys - type 304 stainless steel and Inconel 690 - were tested in air at 900 °C under atmospheric pressure. Corroded samples were analysed by XRD, SEM and EDX. A newly developed alloy (No. 5) having the composition Fe-10.4Cr-15.43Ni-5.52Mn-5.52AI-1.5Si showed almost comparable corrosion resistance with Inconel 690. Stainless steel 304 failed catastrophically. Other newly developed alloys (no. 1-4) showed intermediate resistance. The results have been interpreted in the light of the nature of scales formed and on the premise that Na₂SO₄ decomposes to give S^2- ions which delay the formation of an internal protective film.