Abstract
A wide range of steels, extending from a plain carbon steel to high chromium-nickel, austenitic types and some nickel-based alloys, have been subjected to a cyclic oxidation test in natural gas combustion products at various temperatures. Resistance to oxidation can be expressed in terms of a breakdown temperature which provides a convenient parameter by means of which the behaviour of steels and alloys may be compared. On this basis, the beneficial effects of additions of chromium of up to 30% are confirmed, as are additions of silicon and/or aluminium to chromium steels. Cobalt, copper, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, titanium and nitrogen have comparatively little effect. Manganese appears to be detrimental when added to chromium steels and carbon can be in some circumstances. Nickel can enhance oxidation resistance in some circumstances but is detrimental in others. The presence of sulphur in free-machining, stainless steels appears to counteract the effect of a higher-thannormal manganese content.
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