Effects of Mn on the mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation of 9Cr2WVTa steel

The mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation behaviors of 9Cr2WVTa steels with Mn contents in the range of 0.04-0.93 wt% were investigated. There are no obvious differences in the tensile properties at room temperature and high temperature, only a slight reduction in the impact toughness when Mn content reaches 0.93 wt%. Remarkably, the high temperature oxidation resistance is significantly improved with an increase of Mn content. After 500 h of oxidation, a (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3 oxide scale is developed on the steel with 0.04 wt% Mn, Mn1.5Cr1.5O4 oxides are occasionally detected when Mn content reaches 0.47 wt%, while a thin compact scale with a mixture of Mn1.5Cr1.5O4 and Cr1.3Fe0.7O3 oxides is formed on the steel containing 0.93 wt% Mn. Addition of Mn promotes the formation of Mn-oxides, which lowers oxygen partial pressure and accelerates external oxidation of Cr. At last, the presence of Mn-Cr spinels and Cr-rich oxides improves the oxidation resistance.