The effects of atmosphere condition on tensile behaviour of surface oxide scale on Type 310 stainless steel at high temperature

AbstractThe effects of atmosphere condition on the mechanical properties at high temperature and on the scale structure of Cr2O3 are discussed. Tensile tests of preoxidized Type 310 stainless steel were conducted at 1000°C. Pre-oxidation was done at 1100°C for 90–300 minutes before the tensile tests in 20%O2–80%N2 simulating dry air and in 2%O2–10%CO2–16%H2O–Bal.N2 simulating the liquefied natural gas (LNG) combustion gas condition. The cracking behaviour by high-temperature tensile tests was investigated and the detailed observations of the crystal structure of the surface oxides were examined using TEM, EPMA and EDAX, etc.The length of the cracks created by the tensile test at 1000°C, found in the oxide scale formed in H2O-containing gas atmosphere, was greater than those formed in dry air. The crack density of the oxide scale formed in the H2O-containing gas atmosphere was lower than that formed in dry air. Cracking of the Cr2O3 oxide scale formed in dry air is more likely to occur compared with that f...