Study of the Microstructure and Oxidation Behavior of Chromium Base Alloys Strengthened by NiAl Precipitates

Abstract

In this study, chromium based alloys containing a hardening NiAl phase are investigated from 1100°C to 1300°C in air. The influence of the NiAl content and of the Al/Ni ratio on microstructure modification and on oxidation behaviour are characterized by metallography and thermogravimetry. Increasing the Al/Ni ratio leads to a higher Al content in the chromium solid solution but does not modify the amount of primary NiAl. At high temperature, and for NiAl content exceeding 16 at%, a duplex oxide layer forms at the surface of the alloys exposed in air, alumina in the inner part, and chromia in the outer part. The oxidation behavior is discussed according to oxidation profile and to the thermodynamic predominance diagram of the involved species.