Cyclic oxidation of Cr2AlC between 1000 and 1300 °C in air

Fully dense, monolithic ternary Cr2AlC compounds were synthesized via a powder metallurgical route, and their cyclic oxidation behavior was investigated between 1000 and 1300 °C in air for up to 100 h. At 1000 and 1100 °C, Cr2AlC displayed excellent cyclic oxidation resistance by forming a less than 5 μm-thick Al2O3 oxide layer and a narrow Cr7C3 underlayer. At 1200 and 1300 °C, an outer (Al2O3, Cr2O3)-mixed oxide layer, an intermediate Cr2O3 oxide layer, an inner Al2O3 oxide layer, and a Cr7C3 underlayer formed on the surface. From 1200 °C, scale cracking and spalling began to occur locally to a small extent. At 1300 °C, the cyclic oxidation resistance deteriorated owing to the formation of voids and the spallation of the scales.