Electron spectroscopic study of passive oxide layer formation on Fe-19Cr-18Ni-1Al-TiC austenitic stainless steel

Surface oxidation of a TiC-enriched austenitic stainless steel alloy was investigated at 50 °C by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). It was found that a passive oxide layer started to form on the alloy surface after 5 L of oxygen exposure. Further oxidation of the alloy was suppressed after 500 L of oxygen exposure when a stable passive layer was formed. It was found also that Ti and Ni did not oxidize and Ti remained in a carbide form during whole oxidation. The oxidation kinetics of different metals were investigated as well.