Cyclic oxidation of high-temperature alloys

Abstract

Many applications of high-temperature alloys involve high-temperature oxidation under thermal cycling conditions. The oxide scales formed have lower coefficients of thermal expansion than the metallic alloys and significant thermal stresses can arise during temperature variations. These thermal stresses add to the residual growth stresses which accompany oxide formation. Under certain conditions, stresses in oxide scales may be partly relieved by plastic deformation of scale or alloy. However, when these mechanisms cannot be operative, scale buckling or cracking occur depending on interfacial and oxide fracture strengths. Eventual oxide spallation causes rapid degradation since depleted regions of alloy are in contact with the oxidizing atmosphere. Incorporation of ‘active elements’ such as yttrium, in reducing the residual growth stresses significantly improves the cyclic oxidation resistance of high-temperature nickel-, cobalt-, and iron-base alloys. The present paper attempts to review briefly the mechanisms involved in these phenomena and the tentative cyclic oxidation models. MST/443