Intermetallic phases, as a group of materials which have a great practical importance, both in the past and in the present day, are subject of research on the basis of physicochemical and mechanical properties. The presented studies were conducted for Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB intermetallic alloy, their purpose was to determine the corrosion resistance of this alloy in an oxidizing environment, at temperatures up to 1373 K. The test material was made of Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB intermetallic alloy after plastic processing. The kinetics of corrosion, allotropic variants according to the temperature of the process and the surface condition after corrosion were determined during the study. Based on the results obtained, the verification was performed under operating conditions. Taking into account the properties of the FeAl alloys, the working conditions and material requirements of turbochargers, studies have been undertaken to determine the possibility of the use of Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB intermetallic alloys for components of the hot turbocharger of the automobile with compression ignition engines. The components of the hot turbocharger parts were used from the test material. The tests distance of turbocharger was 80,000 km.
The paper presents the results of tests on the corrosion resistance of Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB alloy after casting, plastic working using extrusion and rolling methods. Examination of the microstructure of the Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB alloy after casting and after plastic working was performed on an Olympus GX51 light microscope. The stereological relationships of the alloy microstructure in the state after crystallization and after plastic working were determined. The quantitative analysis of the structure was conducted after testing with the EBSD INCA HKL detector and the Nordlys II analysis system (Channel 5), which was equipped with the Hitachi S-3400N microscope. Structure tests and corrosion tests were performed on tests cut perpendicular to the ingot axis, extrusion direction, and rolling direction. As a result of the tests, it was found that the crystallized alloy has better corrosion resistance than plastically processed material. Plastic working increases the intensity of the electrochemical corrosion of the examined alloy. It was found that as-cast alloy is the most resistant to corrosion in a 5% NaCl compared with the alloys after hot extrusion and after hot rolling. The parameters in this study show the smallest value of the corrosion current density and corrosion rate as well as the more positive value of corrosion potential.
The paper presents the results of oxidation tests on the alloy based on the intermetallic phase, Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB, in the air at 700–1000 °C temperature. The kinetics of corrosion processes were determined, the surface condition after oxidation was assessed, and the type and morphology of the oxides formed were determined. In addition, the paper presents the possibility of applying the technology of surfacing Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB alloy on the surface of steel grade S235JR as a protective coating that is resistant to high temperatures. The process was carried out using the TIG method by direct current (DC). After the surfacing, the structure of the surfacing weld made of the tested material on the base of structural steel grade S235JR was determined. It was found that a protective Al2O3 oxide layer is formed on the surface of the oxidized alloy based on the intermetallic phase from the FeAl system, and the oxidation kinetics have a parabolic course. Moreover, it was found that the morphology of the oxides formed on the surface varies depending on the oxidation temperature, which clearly indicates a different mechanism of oxide layer formation. The formation of a stable α-Al2O3 oxide variety on the surface of the Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB alloy protects the material from further corrosion, which favors the application of this alloy on structures and fittings operating at elevated temperatures. The aim of the research was to use the Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB alloy with very good oxidation resistance as a layer overlay on ordinary quality S235JR steel. In this way, conditions were created that fundamentally changed the surface condition (structure and physicochemical properties) of the system: steel as a substrate—intermetallic phase Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB as a surfacing layer, in order to increase resistance to high-temperature corrosion and erosion (in the environment of gases and solid impurities in gases) often occurring in corrosive environments, especially in the power industry (boilers, pipes, installation elbows) and the chemical industry (fittings). At the same time, the surfacing method used is one of the cheapest methods of changing the surface properties of the material and regenerating or repairing the native material with a material with better properties, especially for applications in high-temperature corrosion conditions.
This article shows the results of research conducted on the corrosion resistance of the FeAl (Fe40Al5Cr0.2TiB) alloy in two variants: the alloy after casting and after homogenization annealing (1000 °C, 93 h). Analysis of the microstructure of these alloys was conducted on the light microscope, and the phase composition was determined by X-ray diffraction. Resistance to electrochemical corrosion was tested in a 5% NaCl solution using the potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface of alloys after corrosion tests was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Chemical composition tests were conducted using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The structure analysis was made with an electron backscatter diffraction detector. Based on the studies, it was found that the corrosion resistance of the FeAl alloy after homogenization annealing was higher than that of the FeAl alloy after casting. This alloy showed a more non-homogeneous and coarse-grained microstructure compared to the alloy after homogenization annealing. The investigation of the surface condition of FeAl alloys after corrosion tests showed the presence of pits, particularly in the case of the alloy after casting.
The alloys based on intermetallic phases involving Al belong to a new group of heat-resistant materials. Their physico-chemical and mechanical properties allow to apply them in the operating conditions in corrosive environment and elevated temperature. Research conducted for many years has shown that these materials can work at temperature up to 1100°C without degradation of their occurrence in the environment containing oxygen and sulphur. Heat resistance of these materials is provided by forming the Al2O3 passive layer on the surface. This layer is a protective barrier, which hinders the oxygen diffusion into the surface. This paper presents the morphology of passive Al2O3 layer depending on the temperature of its formation. The study allows to define the surface condition for corrosion products carried out using scanning electron microscopy together with EDS X-ray microanalysis.