EFFECT OF CERIUM ON THE OXIDATION OF NI-50CR ALLOYS

The oxidation behavior of Ni-50Cr alloys with minor cerium additions was studied between 800 and 1100° Cin oxygen, air, and oxygen at reduced partial pressures. Optical and scanning electron metallography, X-ray diffraction, and electron-probe microanalysis techniques were used to characterize the changes in scale and substrate morphology and to identify the oxidation products. Platinum markers were used to determine the direction of ionic transport. The effects of cold work, initial alloy phase distribution, and cyclic oxidation were also studied. The Cr2O3scales on the cerium-containing alloys grew while being largely separated from the metal substrate. Oxidation rate, oxide grain growth, and the tendency of scales to spall on cooling were reduced substantially with increasing alloy cerium content. The first two effects are suggested to result from the interaction of cerium ions and cerium oxide particles with oxide grain boundaries in reducing grain-boundary diffusion and oxide-boundary mobility. The third is suggested to result from the thinner, finer-grained scales formed on the Ce-containing alloys. © 1979 Plenum Publishing Corporation.