Surface morphology of scale on FeCrAl (Pd, Pt, Y) alloys

The high temperature oxidation behavior of Fe-20Cr-4Al, floating zone refined (FZ) Fe-20Cr-4Al, Fe-20Cr-4Al-0.5Pd, Fe-20Cr-4Al-0.5Pt and Fe-20Cr-4Al-(0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5)Y alloys was studied in oxygen for 0.6-18 ks at 1273-1673 K by mass gain measurements, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The mass gains of FeCrAl, FZ FeCrAl, FeCrAlPd and FeCrAlPt alloys showed almost the same values. Those of FeCrAl-(0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5)Y alloys decreased with increasing yttrium of up to 0.1% followed by an increase with the yttrium content after oxidation for 18 ks at 1473 K. Needle-like oxide particles were partially observed on FeCrAl alloy after oxidation for 7.2 ks at 1273 K. These oxide particles decreased in size with increasing oxidation time of more than 7.2 ks at 1473 K, and then disappeared after oxidation for 7.2 ks at 1573 K. It is suggested that a new oxide develops at the oxygen/scale interface. The scale surface of FeCrAl alloy showed a wavy morphology after oxidation for 7.2 ks at 1273 K which then changed to planar morphology after an oxidation time of more than 7.2 ks at 1573 K. On the other hand, the scale surfaces of other alloys were planar after all oxidation conditions in this study. The scale surfaces of FeCrAl, FZ FeCrAl, FeCrAlPd and FeCrAlPt alloys were rough, however, those of FeCrAl-(0.1, 0.2, 0.5)Y alloys were smooth. The oxide scales formed on FeCrAl-(0.1, 0.2, 0.5)Y alloys were found to be α-Al2O3 with small amounts of Y3Al5O12, and those of the other alloys were only α-Al2O3.