Kinetics of internal oxidation of Fe-Mn-Cr steel alloys

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Abstract

Selective oxidation behaviour of Fe-Mn-Cr steel alloys annealed at 950°C in Ar plus 5 vol.% H2 atmosphere under different annealing time and dew points was studied. The Fe-Mn-Cr steel alloys are externally oxidized when annealing at dew point of -45 °C, while internally oxidized at dew points of -10 and 10 °C. The internal oxides formed in the Fe-Mn-Cr steel alloys are (Mn, Fe)O and (Cr, Mn, Fe)3O4. The kinetics of internal oxidation of Fe-Mn-Cr alloys at 950 °C is diffusion controlled and follows parabolic growth rate law. The measured kinetics of internal oxidation of Fe-Mn-Cr alloys and the concentration depth profiles of internal oxides are in good agreement with simulation results. Adding Cr to the Fe-Mn steel alloys decreases the kinetics of internal oxidation. The growth rate of internal oxidation zone can be predicted by a modified Wagner’s internal oxidation model. The external oxides formed during annealing of Fe-Mn-Cr steel alloys cannot be reduced by H2. However, an oxide-free steel surface can be obtained by first forming and then reducing a Wüstite scale.