Transition from internal to external oxidation in binary Fe-Cr alloys around 900°C

Abstract The transition from external to internal oxidation of a binary Fe-10Cr alloy has been investigated in Fe/FeO Rhines pack (RP) and H2/H2O between 850 and 900°C. Internal oxidation is facilitated by increasing temperature and presence of water vapor. A classical Wagnerian diffusion analysis predicts external oxidation for ferritic (BCC) Fe-10Cr and internal oxidation for austenitic (FCC) Fe-10Cr. The a-to-g transformation is demonstrated to be the primary factor promoting internal oxidation in Fe-Cr around 900°C. Water vapor is believed to promote internal oxidation due to a higher reactivity of H2O compared to O2 and higher preferential adsorption of the H2O molecule.