INITIAL STRESSES DEVELOPED DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE OXIDATION OF FE-CR ALLOYS

The stresses developed during high temperature oxidation of Fe-Cr alloys have been detected by the deflections of thin strip specimens oxidized on one side only. In spite of the failure to obtain quantitative results, because of the limitations of the platinum layer used to protect one side from oxidation, some significant comparative results have been obtained. For the early stages of oxidation, high chromium content alloys develop tensile stresses in their oxides, which exhibit a maximum when plotted against alloy composition. An Fe-8%Cr alloy and a ternary alloy containing 6%Al, under similar oxidation conditions, appear to develop compressive stresses. Explanations for these different results are offered and discussed. © 1969.