Papers by Author: M.P. Brady

Abstract: Interdiffusion in Fe-Ni-Cr (fcc γ phase) alloys with small additions of Si and Ge at 900°C was studied using solid-to-solid diffusion couples. Alloy rods of Fe-24 at.%Ni, Fe-24 at.%Ni- 22at.%Cr, Fe-24 at.%Ni-22at.%Cr-4at.%Si and Fe-24 at.%Ni-22at.%Cr-1.7at.%Ge were cast using arc-melt, and homogenized at 900°C for 168 hours. Sectioned alloy disks from the rods were polished, and diffusion couples were assembled with in Invar steel jig, encapsulated in Argon after several hydrogen flushes, and annealed atz 900°C for 168 hours. Polished cross-sections of the diffusion couples were characterized to determine experimental concentration profiles using electron probe microanalysis with pure elemental standards. Interdiffusion fluxes of individual components were calculated directly from the experimental concentration profiles, and the moments of interdiffusion flux profiles were examined to determine the average ternary and quaternary interdiffusion coefficients. Effects of alloying additions on the interdiffusional behavior of Fe-Ni- Cr-X alloys at 900°C are presented with due consideration for the formation of protective Cr2O3 scale.

Abstract: A family of creep-resistant, Al2O3-forming austenitic (AFA) stainless steels was recently developed. The alloys exhibit excellent oxidation resistance up to ∼800°C, but are susceptible to internal attack of Al at higher temperatures. In the present work, higher levels of Ni, Cr, Al, and Nb additions were found to correlate with improved oxidation behavior at 900°C in air. The alloys generally appeared to be initially capable of external Al2O3 scale formation, with a subsequent transition to internal attack of Al (internal oxidation and internal nitridation) that is dependent on alloy composition. Compositional profiles at the alloy/scale interface suggest that the transition to internal oxidation is preceded by subsurface depletion of Al in the lower-Al compositions. In higher Al-containing compositions, NiAl second-phase precipitates act as an Al reservoir, and Al depletion may not be a key factor. Alloy design directions to increase the upper-temperature limit of protective Al2O3 scale formation in these alloys are discussed.

Abstract: Interdiffusion at 700°C for Ni-22at.%Cr (fcc γ phase) alloys with small additions of Al, Si, Ge, or Pd was examined using solid-to-solid diffusion couples. Rods of Ni-22at.%Cr, Ni- 21at.%Cr-6.2at.%Al, Ni-22at.%Cr-4.0at.%Si, Ni-22at.%Cr-1.6at.%Ge and Ni-22at.%Cr-1.6at.%Pd alloys were cast using arc-melt and homogenized at 900°C for 168 hours. The diffusion couples were assembled with alloy disks in Invar steel jig, encapsulated in Argon after several hydrogen flushes, and annealed at 700°C for 720 hours. Experimental concentration profiles were determined from polished cross-sections by using electron probe microanalysis with pure standards of Ni, Cr, Al, Si, Ge and Pd. Interdiffusion fluxes of individual components were calculated directly from the experimental concentration profiles, and the moments of interdiffusion fluxes were examined to determine average ternary interdiffusion coefficients. Effects of ternary alloying additions on the interdiffusional behavior of Ni-Cr-X alloys at 700°C are presented in the light of the diffusional interactions and the formation of protective Cr2O3 scale.