Effect of 1% Zr on oxidation behaviour of Fe‐15 Cr‐4 Al alloy under isothermal conditions in air, O2 and O2‐10% H2O environments in the temperature range 1000–1150°C was investigated. The effect of zirconium concentration was studied at 1 200°C in air. Oxidation rate increases with increase in zirconium concentration. Parabolic rate of oxidation was observed.
Limited study on cyclic oxidation was carried out at 1150°C in air. The cycle consisted of one hour holding at isothermal temperature followed by half an hour air cooling. The oxidised samples were examined by X‐Ray diffractometry, SEM, EDAX. Extensive spalling was observed in the base alloy, Fe‐15 Cr‐4 Al in all environments. Zirconium additions eliminated the spalling of the scale. The EDAX analysis of a spalled region shows the presence of iron and chromium while the unspalled region is aluminium rich. A common structural feature, localised formation of granules/nodules was observed in the scale of zirconium containing alloys in all the environments. The number of granules increased with increase in zirconium concentration and was observed to be a maximum in 1% Zr and also increases with increasing temperature.
The observations reveal that 1% Zr alloy shows lower oxidation rate in O2‐H2O environment under isothermal conditions. X‐Ray diffraction analysis shows the additional presence of Fe2O3 and Cr2O3 in α‐Al2O3 scale which have not been detected in the α‐Al2O3 scale formed in other environments, air and O2.
0.2% Zr is most effective in increasing oxidation resistance of Fe‐15 Cr‐4 Al alloy both under isothermal and cyclic oxidation conditions.