Oxidation behavior of sus430 stainless steel in moist atmospheres at 873 k

The oxidation behavior of SUS430 stainless steel was studied in moist atmospheres $$(P_{H_2 O} = 3.4 \times 10^3 Pa, P_{O_2 } = 20 \sim 12.6 \times 10^3 Pa)$$ at 873 K. The mass gain during oxidation was measured by using a thermobalance. An abnormal rapid oxidation occurred after an incubation period which increased with increasing oxygen partial pressure. The product on the surface was identified as α-Fe2O3 of whisker-like morphology by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The abnormal oxidation was not observed under high-oxygen partial pressures. The results of the experiments conducted in various atmospheres were analyzed and are discussed.