Oxidation behaviour of an austenitic Fe-30Mn-5Al-0.5C alloy

The oxidation behaviour of an austenitic Fe-30Mn-5Al (wt.%) alloy was studi ed in air in the 600-900 degreesC temperature range. The alloy exhibits goo d oxidation resistance below 700 degreesC. The low oxidation resistance abo ve 700 degreesC is related to the occurrence of internal oxidation. The sus ceptibility to suffer a deep attack by internal oxidation increases with in creasing the temperature. A mechanism involving oxygen dissolution in the a ustenitic matrix, internal oxidation of aluminium. destabilisation of the a ustenitic matrix and further formation of a ferrite zone is proposed to exp lain the high mass gains presented by these kind of alloys. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.