Oxidation behavior of aluminide coatings on carbon steel with and without electrodeposited Ni–CeO2 film by low-temperature pack cementation

A CeO2-dispersed aluminide coating was fabricated through aluminizing the electrodeposited Ni–CeO2 nanocomposite film on carbon steel using pack cementation method at 700 °C for 4 h. The isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of the CeO2-dispersed aluminide coating at 900 °C, including the growth of oxide scale and the microstructure of the coatings, have been investigated comparing with the aluminide coating on carbon steel. The results show enhanced oxidation performance of the CeO2-dispersed aluminide coating, which is concerned with not only CeO2 effect on the microstructure and oxidation, but also decreased interdiffusion between the aluminide and the Ni film. The CeO2 benefit effects and interdiffusion are discussed in detail.

► A CeO2-dispersed δ-Ni2Al3 coating was produced using pack cementation methods.
► The CeO2-dispersed δ-Ni2Al3 coatings were finer grained than that on carbon steel.
► The CeO2-dispersed δ-Ni2Al3 coating exhibited a superior oxidation resistance.