Effect of Alloying Elements on Oxidation of Low-Chromium Alloys

摘要

The Bureau of Mines is conducting research to determine the high-temperature oxidation resistance of substitute stainless steels (SS) containing two less strategic elements, Al and Si, instead of Cr. Chromium is considered to be a critical and strategic metal. In this study, the effects of the alloying elements on oxidation kinetics and morphology of oxides were investigated using a Cahn Rg electrobalance, scanning electron microscopy, an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and an electron microprobe. Aluminum and silicon additions in combination were more effective in providing oxidation resistance than either element was alone.