Oxidation and corrosion

West J M 1986 Basic Corrosion and Oxidation 2nd edn (Chiohester Ellis Horwood) p 220... 

Evans U R 1960 The Corrosion and Oxidation of Metais (London Arnold)... 

Chromium is the most effective addition to improve the resistance of steels to corrosion and oxidation at elevated temperatures, and the chromium—molybdenum steels are an important class of alloys for use in steam (qv) power plants, petroleum (qv) refineries, and chemical-process equipment. The chromium content in these steels varies from 0.5 to 10%. As a group, the low carbon chromium—molybdenum steels have similar creep—mpture strengths, regardless of the chromium content, but corrosion and oxidation resistance increase progressively with chromium content. 

Standard Wrought Steels. Steels containing 11% and more of chromium are classed as stainless steels. The prime characteristics are corrosion and oxidation resistance, which increase as the chromium content is increased. Three groups of wrought stainless steels, series 200, 300, and 400, have composition limits that have been standardized by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AlSl) (see Steel). Figure 8 compares the creep—mpture strengths of the standard austenitic stainless steels that are most commonly used at elevated temperatures (35). Compositions of these steels are Hsted in Table 3. 

Other alloys have been developed for use in particular corrosive environments at high temperatures. Several of these are age-hardenable alloys which contain additions of aluminum and titanium. Eor example, INCONEL alloys 718 and X-750 [11145-80-5] (UNS N07750) have higher strength and better creep and stress mpture properties than alloy 600 and maintain the same good corrosion and oxidation resistance. AHoy 718 exhibits excellent stress mpture properties up to 705°C as well as good oxidation resistance up to 980°C and is widely used in gas turbines and other aerospace appHcations, and for pumps, nuclear reactor parts, and tooling. 

The phosphonate esters, HP(=0(OR)2, of alkylated phenols are used extensively as lubricating-oil additives to control bearing corrosion and oxidation, and to impart antimst properties as stabilizers, as antioxidants (qv) and flame retardants in plastics, as specialty solvents, and as intermediates (see Corrosion AND corrosion control Heat stabilizers). 

Nonferrous alloys account for only about 2 wt % of the total chromium used ia the United States. Nonetheless, some of these appHcations are unique and constitute a vital role for chromium. Eor example, ia high temperature materials, chromium ia amounts of 15—30 wt % confers corrosion and oxidation resistance on the nickel-base and cobalt-base superaHoys used ia jet engines the familiar electrical resistance heating elements are made of Ni-Cr alloy and a variety of Ee-Ni and Ni-based alloys used ia a diverse array of appHcations, especially for nuclear reactors, depend on chromium for oxidation and corrosion resistance. Evaporated, amorphous, thin-film resistors based on Ni-Cr with A1 additions have the advantageous property of a near-2ero temperature coefficient of resistance (58). 

Uses. Copper and high copper aEoys are typicaEy used as electrical and thermal conductors. UNS C 80100 is corrosion and oxidation resistant ... 

Evans, U. R., The Corrosion and Oxidation of Metals, First Supplementary Volume, Edward Arnold Ltd., London, 1968. 

The insulation around the central electrode is an example of a non-metallic material - in this case, alumina, a ceramic. This is chosen because of its electrical insulating properties and because it also has good thermal fatigue resistance and resistance to corrosion and oxidation (it is an oxide already). 

At and near room temperature, metals have well-defined, almost constant, moduli and yield strengths (in contrast to polymers, which do not). And most metallic alloys have a ductility of 20% or better. Certain high-strength alloys (spring steel, for instance) and components made by powder methods, have less - as little as 2%. But even this is enough to ensure that an unnotched component yields before it fractures, and that fracture, when it occurs, is of a tough, ductile, type. But - partly because of their ductility - metals are prey to cyclic fatigue and, of all the classes of materials, they are the least resistant to corrosion and oxidation. 

This type of pump is used to handle abrasive, chemically corrosive, and oxidizing liquids, where conventional pumps would require exotic alloys. The wet end of these pumps is non-metallic or lined and coated, sealing and isolating any metal component. The power end is normal. 

Furnace tubes, piping, and exchanger tubing with metal temperatures above 800°F now tend to be an austenitic stainless steel, e.g., Type 304, 321, and 347, although the chromium-molybdenum steels are still used extensively. The stainless steels are favored beeause not only are their creep and stress-rupture properties superior at temperatures over 900°F, but more importantly because of their vastly superior resistance to high-temperature sulfide corrosion and oxidation. Where corrosion is not a significant factor, e.g., steam generation, the low alloys, and in some applications, carbon steel may be used. 

Manly, W. D.etai., Proceedings of the Second Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, United Nations, Geneva, 1958, Pub. No. A/CONF/15/P/1990 Evans, U. R., The Corrosion and Oxidation of metals, Arnold, London, 356-357 (1960) Jackson, J, H., Alloy Cast. Bull., No. 16, 1 (1952)... 

Nickel and Ni-Cr alloys are among the most resistant metallic materials to corrosion and oxidation at high temperatures and are widely used to resist corrosion by gases and molten salts at elevated temperatures (see Sections 7.1 and 7.5). 

Evans, U. R., The Corrosion and Oxidation of Metals, Arnold, London, 39-48 (I960) Nakayama, Castings Research Laboratory Report, No. 5, Waseda University, 57-59 (1956) Cotton, J. B., Werkst. u. Korrosion, Weinheim, 2 No. 3, 152 (I960)... 

Extensive work into the corrosion and oxidation of uranium and its alloys has been undertaken over the past decade but much of this is in the form of Ministry and industrial reports which are not necessarily readily available. The present review concentrates on the work published in the normal scientific and technical press. 

---