Internal oxidation and phase transformations of multi-phase Fe–Ni–Al and Fe–Ni–Al–Cr alloys induced by KCl corrosion

Abstract The corrosion of two multiphase Fe–Ni–Al and Fe–Ni–Al–Cr alloys is studied at 650 °C in KCl-contaminated air. The oxidation rate of the alloys in air alone is low. When KCl is introduced, the corrosion is accelerated, producing a thick external scale of iron oxides, an intermediate layer of spinel, and a region of internal oxidation of Al. Potassium chromate is detected on Fe–Ni–Al–Cr surface that accounts for the degradation of protective chromia. An Al-depleted single phase region is observed in the front of the internal oxidation, due to the selective consumption of Al via an “active oxidation” process.