High-temperature oxidation resistance

Oxidation in air is the most classic form of hot corrosion. The oxidation resistance of refractory steels and alloys results from the formation of an adherent, low-permeability oxide layer.

For the oxide layer to be protective, it is essential that oxygen cannot come into contact with the base metal. This condition is verified for a number of metals found in refractory steels and alloys, essentially :

• chromium, which creates a unique Cr ₂ O ₃ oxide;

• aluminum with Al ₂ O ₃ ;...