Isao Saeki

In Situ Measurement of the Phase Transformation Behavior of Al2O3 Scale during High-Temperature Oxidation using Synchrotron Radiation

Very thin Fe-coatings, ~50nm, were found to suppress metastable Al2O3 formation on Fe-50Al and Ni-50Al alloys in our previous study. The authors proposed a mechanism whereby α-Al2O3 precipitates from the Al-saturated Fe2O3, which was formed during initial oxidation, since α-Al2O3 and α-Fe2O3 have isomorphous structures. In order to confirm the proposed mechanism, in-situ measurements were made of structural changes in the oxide scales formed on FeAl with and without Fe coating during heating and subsequent isothermal high temperature oxidation by synchrotron radiation with a two-dimensional X-ray detector. Diffraction peaks from Fe2O3 were initially observed at around 350°C on Fe-coated samples. The lattice parameter of the Fe2O3 initially increased linearly due to thermal expansion, but then rapidly decreased due to the formation of a solid solution of Fe2O3-Al2O3. α-Al2O3 started to appear at around 800°C, but no peaks from metastable Al2O3 were observed. The diffraction peaks from the α-Al2O3 on Fe-coated samples consisted of two distinct peaks, indicating that the α-Al2O3 had two different lattice parameters. These results suggest that the α-Al2O3 was formed not only by precipitation from the Al-saturated Fe2O3, but also by oxidation of Al in the substrate.

Gas-Tight Oxides - Reality or Just a Hope

A better understanding of the transport properties of gases in oxides is certainly very important in many applications. In the case of metals, a general protection measure against corrosion implies formation of a dense metal oxide scale. The scale should act as a barrier against gas transport and consequently it needs to be gas-tight. This is often assumed but rarely, if ever, confirmed. Hence there is a need for characterization of micro- and/or meso- pores formed especially during the early oxidation stage of metallic materials. This paper presents a novel and relatively straightforward method for characterization of gas release from an oxide previously equilibrated in a controlled atmosphere. The geometry of the sample is approximated to be a plate. The plate can be self-supporting or constitute a scale on a substrate. A mathematical model for calculation of diffusivity and gas content is given for this geometry. A desorption experiment, involving a mass spectrometer placed in ultra high vacuum, can be used to determine diffusivity and amount of gas released with aid of the mathematical model. The method is validated in measurements of diffusivity and solubility of He in quartz and applied in characterization of two Zroxides and one Fe oxide. From the outgassed amounts of water and nitrogen the H2O/N2 molar ratio can be used to estimate an effective pore size in oxides.

High-Temperature Oxidation of Low-Carbon Steel Coated by Solution-Spraying with Cerium and Aluminum Ions

Solutions containing cerium and aluminum ions were sprayed on a low-carbon steel, and high-temperature oxidation of the coated steels was examined. It is found that the oxidation rate was low, and removal of oxide scales was easy for the coated steels. These features were thought to be caused by the suppression of wüstite formation when the coating was applied.