Severe dual atmosphere effect at 600 °C for stainless steel 441

AISI 441 foils of 0.2 mm thickness were exposed in a dual atmosphere setup in which one side was exposed to air −3% H2O and the other to Ar −5% H2 - 3% H2O. The experiment was performed at 600 °C and was referenced against exposures in air +3% H2O on both sides. The exposure conditions were chosen to simulate the conditions of an interconnect in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell stacks (IT-SOFC). A strong dual atmosphere effect was observed: local breakaway corrosion was discovered after only 1000 h on samples exposed to dual atmospheres. After 3000 h iron oxide had propagated to cover the entire surface area of the sample. In comparison, the samples exposed in single atmosphere formed thin protective chromia scales on both sides even after 3000 h of exposure.