The oxidation of two ternary Fe–Cu–10 at.% Al alloys in 1atm of pure O2 at 800–900°C

Abstract The oxidation of two ternary Fe–Cu–Al alloys containing 10 at.% Al (Fe–65Cu–10Al and Fe–30Cu–10Al) has been studied at 800–900 °C under 1 atm O 2 . Under all conditions both alloys show an initial faster stage during which Fe–65Cu–10Al corrodes more rapidly at 800 °C than at 900 °C, while Fe–30Cu–10Al follows nearly identical kinetics at both temperatures. As oxidation proceeds, a continuous alumina layer is eventually established on the surface of the two alloys, thus decreasing significantly their oxidation rates. Altogether, the Fe-rich alloy Fe–30Cu–10Al oxidizes slightly faster than the Cu-rich alloy Fe–65Cu–10Al at both temperatures. The possible reasons for the decrease in the critical Al content needed to form external alumina scales for the Cu-rich alloy in comparison with binary Cu–Al alloys are examined.