Study of the oxide films produced on stainless steels and on nickel based alloys in primary environment

Because of the oxide films protective properties which are developed on the stainless steels and on the nickel based alloys like Inconel, those qualities are very important in the stress corrosion. Several studies were realized: horizontal X rays, electrochemistry, luminescent discharge. The results are the followings: the oxide films behave like a semiconductor either n or p. This confirms the analytical results showing that the chemical composition of these films is formed with an inner layer based on chromium oxide and an outer layer where the iron oxide is the main component. 1 fig., 1 tab