Growth Mechanisms of Oxide Scales on Two-phase Co/Ni-base Model Alloys between 800 °C and 900 °C

Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167 (2020), DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ab69f7

Elementary processes during the oxidation of single crystal Co/Ni-base model alloys between 800 °C and 900 °C were investigated in the present study. The influence of the base element (Co or Ni) on the oxidation rate was elucidated by continuous thermogravimetry in synthetic air for 100 h. After exposure, the multilayered oxide scales were characterized by scanning electron microscopy combined with electron probe micro analysis. The substitution of Co by Ni caused reduced oxidation rates at 900 °C. At lower temperatures an inverse trend with Co-rich alloys demonstrating lower mass gains was observed. The development of diffusion-limiting scale sections that lead to overall thinner oxide layers could be proved for the Co-base superalloy without Ni at 800 °C and 850 °C. The growth of AlN as well as the unwanted phase transformation of the γ/γ' microstructure into Co₃W persisted in alloys with high Co levels for all investigated temperatures. Material transport at 900 °C was elucidated by two-stage oxidation experiments in normal oxygen and ¹⁸O-enriched atmospheres. Transport of O₂ via microchannels could be concluded for all compositions. The provided insights contributed to deeper understanding of essential processes during the formation of barrier layers in the scale.