OXIDATION-RESISTANT REFRACTORY METAL ALLOYS

摘要

An oxidation-resistant alloy comprising a refractory metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, technetium, rhenium, and mixtures thereof; chromium in an amount effective to provide a continuous solid Cr2O3 layer at a surface of the alloy when that surface is exposed to a high-temperature environment; silicon and/or aluminum in an amount effective to provide a continuous and protective SiO2, Al2O3, or an SiO2/Al2O3 layer between the continuous solid Cr2O3 layer and the alloy, wherein the SiO2, Al2O3, or the SiO2/Al2O3 layer imparts oxidation resistance to the alloy when exposed to the high-temperature environment; and wherein the sum of the refractory metal(s) selected is at least about 15 weight percent. The high-temperature environment contemplated is at temperatures of about 1000 °C or higher.