HIGH-TEMPERATURE OXIDATION OF ALUMINUM ELECTROPLATED FE-MN ALLOYS

Austenitic Mn-Al alloys (20-32 W/O Mn, 7-10 Al, 2-3 Si, 1C) were found to have satisfactory oxidation resistance up to 950°C under isothermal conditions in air. Surface enrichment of aluminum is a necessary condition for obtaining an almost pure alumina scale for uses at higher temperatures. Four different Mn-steels were Al-coated by the Capuano electroplating process. In all the steels there was an increase in the hot-oxidation resistance. The best results were obtained with steels containing both Al and Si, and this for temperatures up to 1100°C. No spalling was noticed during rapid cooling of the test pieces. Silicon was found to act as a diffusion barrier to outward iron diffusion. It appears that there is formation of a pure, thin film of alumina from the matrix which interacts with the aluminum diffusing from the superimposed, coating for the formation of good bonds. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.