The influence of cerium and yttrium ion implantation upon the oxidation behaviour of a 20% Cr/25% Ni/Nb stabilised stainless steel, in carbon dioxide, at 8250C

The influence of cerium and yttrium ion implantation upon the oxidation behaviour of a 20% Cr/25% Ni niobium stabilised stainless steel during up to 7 157h exposure to carbon dioxide, at 8250C has been examined. The doses ranged between 5 x 1014 and 1017 ions cm-2. Above thresholds of between 5 x 1014 and 5 x 1015 yttrium and between 5 x 1015 and 1016 cerium ions cm-2 the implantation of both elements improved the oxidation resistance of the 20/25/Nb steel. Yttrium exerted the greater influence, reducing by a factor of two the attack after 7 157h. Up to 80% of the oxide formed on the 20/25/Nb steel spalled, particularly on thermal cycling. Cerium and yttrium implantation improved oxide adhesion by similar extents, which increased with ion dose such that with the highest doses, no spallation was measurable. The effect of the implanted elements derived from their incorporation within the oxide film. It was initiated by their promotion of the formation of an initial chromium-rich oxide layer, which had a finer grain size than that formed on the 20/25/Nb steel. Reduction in continuing attack was associated in part, with improved oxide adhesion, as this decreased the significant contribution to the attack of the 20/25/Nb steel from the reoxidation of spalled areas. (author)