High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Fe-10Cr Steel under Different Atmospheres

Using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), Fe-10Cr steel was oxidized in dry air and in a mixed atmosphere of air and water vapor at a relative humidity of 50% and a temperature of 800-1200 °C for 1 h. The oxidation weight gain curves under the two atmospheres were drawn, the oxidation activation energy was calculated, and the phase and cross-sectional morphology of the iron oxide scales were analyzed and observed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). The results showed that when the oxidation temperature was 800 °C, the spheroidization of Fe-10Cr steel occurred, and the oxidation kinetics conformed to the linear law. At 900-1200 °C, the oxidation kinetics followed a linear law in the preliminary stage and a parabolic law in the middle and late stages. In an air atmosphere, when the oxidation temperature reached 1200 °C, Cr₂O₃ in the inner oxide layer was partially ruptured. In an atmosphere with a water vapor content of 50%, Cr₂O₃ at the interface reacted with H₂O to generate volatile CrO₂(OH)₂, resulting in a large consumption of Cr at the interface. At the same time, a large number of voids and microcracks appeared in the iron oxide layer, which accelerated the entry of water molecules into the substrate, as well as the oxidation of Fe-10Cr steel, and caused the iron oxide scales to fall off. Due to the volatilization of Cr₂O₃ and the conversion from internal oxidation to external oxidation, the internal oxidation zone (IOZ) of Fe-10Cr steel under water vapor atmosphere decreased or even disappeared.