KCl-Induced Corrosion of an FeCrAl Alloy at 600 °C in O2 + H2O Environment: The Effect of Pre-oxidation

The present study investigates the influence of H2O and KCl on the high temperature corrosion of an FeCrAl alloy at 600 °C. Polished samples were exposed to O2 or O2 + H2O and to O2 + H2O with KCl applied. The samples were investigated using SEM/EDX, XRD, IC, AES and SIMS. It was found that KCl accelerates corrosion and that a rapidly growing iron-rich oxide forms with time. Chromate formation is shown to initiate the formation of a non-protective oxide scale. Pre-oxidising the alloy before exposure in the presence of KCl had a strongly beneficial effect on the corrosion.