Properties of High Temperature Oxidation of Heat-resistant Steel with Aluminium and Copper

Abstract

The research is focused on a novel aluminum and copper-containing heat-resistant steel. The steel was designed by the material performance simulation software JmatPro, performed high-temperature oxidation tests at 650 °C and 700 °C atmospheric conditions, and analyzed the high-temperature oxidation processes and its mechanisms.The phase transtions and surface morphology of the oxide films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the equilibrium phase of the test steel is composed of γ phase and δ phase at 1050 °C and tranforms to tempered martensite and δ-Fe mixed structure after heat treatment. The preferential oxidation of Fe and Cr and the internal oxidation of Al occurred during the high temperature oxidation of the test steel. The oxide films were formed with various shape and weak bonding properties after high-temperature oxidation at 650℃. To the contrary, the oxide films more regular and evenly distributed, and has a certain protective effect after high-temperature oxidation at 700 ℃. The oxide films were divided into two layers, Fe₂O₃ is main element in the outer layer, the inner layer is mainly consisting the oxide of Cr. However, the addition of Cu element can promote the diffusion of Al and Si elements, which is beneficial to the formation of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ protective oxide films and excellent in high temperature oxidation resistance.