High temperature oxidation of stainless steels 

Participants: Fang Liu and Associate Prof. Mats Halvarsson, Chalmers 
Collaboration with: Helena and Associate Prof. Jan-Erik Svensson, Environmental Inorganic Chemistry, Chalmers; Josifin Engqvist, Mikael Grehk,and Prof. Mikael Olsson,  Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalarna University College

Project 1
 

This project deals with the oxidation of functional FeCrAl materials at high temperature. It is a collaboration between two Chalmers groups and a group at Dalarna University College. The aim is to generate new insights into the chemistry and physics of oxidation of FeCrAl alloys used for catalytic converters. The project involves an atomistic approach on oxidation, including the nucleation and growth of the protective Al₂O₃ scale and phase transitions and segregation of impurities within the scale and at the oxide/scale interface. We will investigate the role of “Reactive Element” additions in oxide growth and oxide adhesion. Grain-boundary diffusion in the oxide and the diffusion of aluminium in the metal will also be addressed. The work combines several different experimental approaches and includes in-situ (XRD, TG, ESEM) as well as ex-situ techniques. In the ex-situ work, the oxide and the oxide/metal interface will be investigated with nanometer resolution using TEM assisted by FIB. Auger Spectroscopy and ToF-SIMS are used to investigate the surface of the material as well as for depth profiling. The combination of these techniques will provide new insight into the physics and chemistry of oxidation.

Project 2
High temperature oxidation of other stainless steels.