Degradation of ferritic stainless steels at 1200 ºC in air

Abstract

Three commercial ferritic stainless steels were investigated at 1200 °C by a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) in air. The oxidation kinetics of the ferritic stainless steels differed significantly. The adhesion of the Cr₂O₃ scale, the morphology of the SiO₂, with or without (Cr, Mn)₃O₄ spinel on the top can greatly influence the oxidation and the degradation behaviour of the steels. Although the SUS430 steel had less Cr among the ferritic stainless steels (16.2 wt% Cr), it did not show more degradation behaviour than the B443NT steel (21.0 wt% Cr). The spallation of the protective oxide scale on the B443NT steel was caused by vacancy condensation at the scale/substrate interface where the SiO₂ particles were and the developed compressive stresses within the oxide scale during oxidation. (Cr, Mn)₃O₄ spinel on the top of the Cr₂O₃ scale on the B445J1M steel influenced its evaporation rate. The thermodynamic aspect of the chemical composition and oxidation atmosphere of the Fe–Cr–O system was also discussed.