Abstract:The oxide layers formed during high temperature oxidation of metallic alloys depend on experimental conditions (oxidation gas composition, gas pressure, temperature, duration etc…) and often with complex structure or multilayer structure. Residual stress can be generated not only dues to oxide growth at high temperature (growth stress) but also during cooling of layer/metallic alloy system after oxidation (thermal stress). The determination of the level and the distribution of the residual stresses in oxide layers are very important to determine the influence of oxidation condition in one hand and to estimate the mechanical component's durability at high temperature in the other hand. Two Chromia-forming alloys have been studied: a nickel based Inconel 600 alloy (Ni-17%Cr-8%Fe-1%Mn) and a ferritic AISI 430 steel (Fe-17%Cr-1%Mn). Oxidation test has been carried out at different temperatures (from 600°C to 900°C) for various durations (from 2 h to 96 h) under different absolute humilities (from 0% to 19%). After oxidation of Inconel 600, the oxide layers are composed essentially by an external NiO layer and by an internal spinel NiCr 2 O 4 layer. While the AISI 430 steel forms an external spinel Mn 1.5 Cr 1.5 O 4 layer and an internal Cr 2 O 3 layer. The residual stresses (RS) have been analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) method in each of oxide layers after oxidation tests. In oxide layers, the RS are compressive and the RS levels are more important in internal layer than those in external layer. Overall, the compressive RS in oxide layers increase with oxidation temperature, oxidation duration and absolute humidity.
IntroductionAt high temperature, almost all metals are not thermodynamically stable in air or in atmosphere where oxygen exists, and a solid oxide scale will form on the surface. Oxidation of Chromia-forming alloys has drawn lots of attention in recent years, for their good oxidation resistance and low cost. It is true that lots of studies have been done to study the oxidation behavior of Chromia-forming alloy in dry air, but humidity exists in all stages of oxidation in reality. Therefore, studying the influence of water vapor on Chromia-forming alloys oxidation at high temperature has great importance. Some works have been done to study the influence of water vapor on oxidation [1-6], and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the influence of water vapor on oxidation, such as Fuji and Meussner [2] proposed a dissociation mechanism, and suggested that hydrogen appears to play an important role in the oxidation process as an oxygen carrier between the separated inner and outer scale layers. Shen Jianian [3] suggested that breakaway oxidation happened in the water vapor containing atmosphere is the result of formation of microcracks and microchannels during oxidation. H. Asteman [4,5] observed the evaporation of Chromia hydroxide. According to J. Ehlers the entry of molecular H 2 O into the oxide scale was the main process leading to breakaway oxidation [6]. Obviously, the mechanis...