THE OXIDATION OF FE-AL ALLOYS CONTAINING CHROMIUM, NICKEL, OR MANGANESE

A review of recent work into the oxidation characteristics of iron-aluminum alloys containing between 1 and 5 wt% aluminum is presented, with emphasis on the effect of ternary alloying additions. Those described are chromium (a ferrite stabilizer), nickel, and manganese (both austenite stabilizers), in concentrations of up to 30 to 40 wt%. While binary iron-aluminum alloys require greater than 7 wt% aluminum for excellent oxidation resistance at 800 degree C, it is shown that chromium additions of greater than 5 wt% enable a protective alumina scale to be established on alloys with as little as 2. 5 wt% aluminum.