Erosion–oxidation behaviour of pack-aluminized 9% chromium steel under fluidized-bed conditions at elevated temperature

Abstract Pack-aluminized 9% chromium steel specimens were exposed to angular silica sand particles in a fluidized-bed erosion–oxidation rig for 200 h. The exposures were conducted in air at temperatures of 550 °C to 700 °C for particle impact angles of 30° and 90°, at speeds of 7.0–9.2 m s−1. Subsequently, the mean thickness changes of the specimens were determined and the specimens were examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The specimens experience only slight thickness changes for 30° angle impacts but significant material loss for 90° angle impacts, typical of a brittle erosion process. Under 30° angle impacts, the coatings were mostly retained on the substrate surface and slightly deformed. Thin oxide scales were detected on the surface at all test temperatures. Under 90° angle impacts, thickness losses increased with increase in speed and temperature up to 650 °C, resulting in complete loss of the coating in the test period. A porous, cracked, but continuous, oxide scale was observed on the surface of the exposed substrate. At 700 °C, the coating was partially retained on the substrate, with the residual coating thickness decreasing with increase in speed. Explanations for these observations are presented, the interactions between the erosion and oxidation processes for the specimens are discussed and the degradation mechanisms for the coatings under the test conditions are described in this paper.