HCM12A Cr-rich oxide layer investigation using 3D atom probe

Abstract Three-dimensional atom probe techniques were applied to the investigation on the oxide scale in 12Cr ferritic/martensitic steel, HCM12A. A duplex oxide scale was formed in lead bismuth eutectic at 450–500 °C, during 5500 h. Samples were located 500–700 nm away from the boundary between magnetite and Fe–Cr spinel layers, while the total oxide layer thickness is 18 μm. It detected super enrichment of Cr with a size of ten nm roughly, as well as depletion of Fe and enrichment of O at the same site. Surrounding the Cr super enrichment area, enrichment of Si was newly noticed due to the scanned profile of detected atom counts. It is also confirmed that Pb and Bi concentration in the observed spinel region is almost null or less than 0.01atomic%, which is possible detecting lowest limit.