Edge-on TEM studies of oxide scale formation on FeNiCr alloys
The high temperature oxidation resistance of many commercial alloy systems is often reliant upon the development of a steady state scale via the selective oxidation of one of the alloy constituents. The growth of adherent chromiumrich sesquioxides on iron-chromium alloys, for example, imparts good oxidation resistance although steels of low chromium content (< 13wt%) generally form thick layered scales which may breakdown after extended periods giving rise to accelerated rates of oxidation. The high temperature growth process essentially proceeds thermally activated transport and may involve either the outward diffusion of cations and/or the inward migration of anions. Typically, solid state diffusional transport will take place by lattice diffusion or by transport along grain boundaries so that the overall rate of transport is an inherent property of the oxide structure and composition. Equally, the morphology of the oxide itself will be determined by a variety of kinetic and thermodynamic factors.