Scales grown on chromia forming alloys in CO 2 are less protective than those developed during exposure to oxygen or air. Reaction with CO 2 leads to faster chromia scale growth, the more rapid onset of breakaway and internal carburisation of the alloy. Conventional and laser Raman microscopy studies of Fe-Cr alloys show that local fluctuations in scale thickness are associated with varying degrees of chromium depletion. Local conversion of Cr 2 O 3 to spinel leads to rapid outward iron diffusion and nucleation of Fe-rich oxide nodules. A TEM investigation reveals that reaction in CO 2 produces finer grained Cr 2 O 3 , inward scale growth and more rapid scaling, as well as internal carburisation. Appropriate silicon additions to the alloys lead to the formation of a thin, glassy silica layer beneath the chromia, greatly slowed chromia thickening rates and the prevention of carburisation. Atom probe tomography is used to locate carbon within the chromia.