Effect of rare earth oxide additions on oxidation behavior of AISI 304L stainless steel

Abstract

AISI 304L stainless steel powder compacts containing 2 vol% high purity rare earth oxides were prepared by mixing the different powders in a vibratory mill followed by pressing. The compacts thus obtained were sintered in a vacuum furnace and isothermal oxidation measurements were carried out in a muffle furnace, in air, up to 200 hours at 900 °C. The oxidized surfaces were examined in a scanning electron microscope and micro regions of the reaction products were studied using energy dispersive analysis. The addition of rare earth oxides decreased the oxidation rate of the stainless steel. Further evidence of predominant oxygen ion diffusion controlling the overall oxidation process in rare earth containing chromium oxide forming alloys has been observed.