Iron oxides, high-temperature alloys

Cerium is the principal metal in the alloy called misch metal. Misch metal is 50 percent cerium combined with lanthanum, neodymium, and a small amount of iron. Misch metal is used to make the flints for lighters. Cerium is often included in alloys of iron and other metals such as magnesium. A high-temperature alloy of three percent cerium with magnesium is used for jet engines. Some of cerium s compounds—for example, cerium(IV) oxide —are used to polish lenses, mirrors, and televi-... 

The metal has unusual superconductive properties. As little as 1 percent gadolinium improves the workability and resistance of iron, chromium, and related alloys to high temperatures and oxidation. 

Ferritic stainless steels depend on chromium for high temperature corrosion resistance. A Cr202 scale may form on an alloy above 600°C when the chromium content is ca 13 wt % (36,37). This scale has excellent protective properties and occurs iu the form of a very thin layer containing up to 2 wt % iron. At chromium contents above 19 wt % the metal loss owiag to oxidation at 950°C is quite small. Such alloys also are quite resistant to attack by water vapor at 600°C (38). Isothermal oxidation resistance for some ferritic stainless steels has been reported after 10,000 h at 815°C (39). Grades 410 and 430, with 11.5—13.5 wt % Cr and 14—18 wt % Cr, respectively, behaved significandy better than type 409 which has a chromium content of 11 wt %. 

Metallurgy. The strong affinity for oxygen and sulfur makes the rare-earth metals useflil in metallurgy (qv). Mischmetal acts as a trap for these Group 16 (VIA) elements, which are usually detrimental to the properties of steel (qv) or cast iron (qv). Resistance to high temperature oxidation and thermomechanical properties of several metals and alloys are thus significantly improved by the addition of small amounts of mischmetal or its siUcide (16,17). 

The most common form of corrosion is uniform corrosion, in which the entire metal surface degrades at a near uniform rate (1 3). Often the surface is covered by the corrosion products. The msting of iron (qv) in a humid atmosphere or the tarnishing of copper (qv) or silver alloys in sulfur-containing environments are examples (see also SiLVERAND SILVER ALLOYS). High temperature, or dry, oxidation, is also usually uniform in character. Uniform corrosion, the most visible form of corrosion, is the least insidious because the weight lost by metal dissolution can be monitored and predicted. 

The contact ends of printed circuit boards are copper. Alloys of nickel and iron are used as substrates in hermetic connectors in which glass (qv) is the dielectric material. Terminals are fabricated from brass or copper from nickel, for high temperature appHcations from aluminum, when aluminum conductors are used and from steel when high strength is required. Because steel has poor corrosion resistance, it is always plated using a protective metal, such as tin (see Tin and tin alloys). Other substrates can be unplated when high contact normal forces, usually more than 5 N, are available to mechanically dismpt insulating oxide films on the surfaces and thereby assure metaUic contact (see Corrosion and corrosion control). 

Aluminum also improves the resistance of iron to oxidation as well as sulfidation. But use as an alloying agent is limited because the amount required interferes with the worl bility and high-temperature... 

The scope of the term stainless steel has not been precisely defined, but for general purposes it may be considered to include alloys whose main constituent is iron but which also contain not less than 10% Cr. As with low-alloy steels, a distinction between low or medium carbon grades and high carbon grades must also be drawn, the latter being more in the nature of alloy cast irons. These are used mainly for oxidation resistance at high temperatures and for applications where abrasion resistance allied to a certain amount of corrosion resistance is required, and will not be considered in this section. 

There are no significant high-temperature applications for alloys of nickel with iron. The scales formed in air consist of nickel oxide and iron oxide and the latter is usually present in the form of the spinel, NiO-FejOj . In the case of the more dilute nickel alloys, internal oxidation of nickel was Observed S. Substitution of a substantial proportion of nickel by iron results in a deterioration in the oxidation resistance of nickel-chromium... 

It must be appreciated that at high temperatures platinum permits the flame gases to diffuse through it, and this may cause the reduction of some substances not otherwise affected. Hence if a covered crucible is heated by a gas flame there is a reducing atmosphere in the crucible in an open crucible diffusion into the air is so rapid that this effect is not appreciable. Thus if iron(III) oxide is heated in a covered crucible, it is partly reduced to metallic iron, which alloys with the platinum sodium sulphate is similarly partly reduced to the sulphide. It is, advisable, therefore, in the ignition of iron compounds or sulphates to place the crucible in a slanting position with free access of air. 

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