#steels

Researchers investigate microstructure evolution of oxide films of Fe-Cr–based alloys

Ferritic/martensitic steels and austenitic steels are the primary candidate materials for advanced nuclear energy systems. The corrosion resistance of the materials is one of the factors that ensures the safe service of key components. Since the corrosion resistance of materials is highly related to the characteristics of the formed oxide films, it is crucial to investigate the oxide films of candidate materials in high-temperature water. Researchers at the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) selected candidate materials (15-15Ti, 316L and T91) to study their early oxidation behavior in high-temperature steam and the evolution process of the oxide microstructure. The results were published in Journal of Materials Science & Technology. The Ni-rich layer in the oxide film of austenitic steels (15-15Ti, 316L) is composed of Fe-Cr spinel oxide and Ni-rich phase. Researchers at IMP found a large number of nanopores in the inner oxide layer that could serve as a rapid gas transport channel for oxidant. They revealed the evolution process of Ni-rich layer and the formation mechanism of nanopores in the inner oxide layer.

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