ISSN:
1573-4889
Keywords:
oxidation
;
kinetics
;
iron
;
iron-nitride
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract The oxidation of α-Fe and ɛ-Fe2N1−z at 573 K and 673 K in O2 at 1 atm was investigated by thermogravimetrical analysis, X-ray diffraction, light-optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Upon oxidation at 573 K and 673 K, on α-Fe initially α-Fe2O3 develops, whereas on ɛ-Fe2N1−z initially Fe3O4 develops. In an early stage of oxidation the oxidation rate of ɛ-Fe2N1−z appears to be much larger than of α-Fe. This can be attributed largely to an effective surface area available for oxygen uptake, which is much larger for ɛ-Fe2N1−z than for α-Fe due to the porous structure of ɛ-Fe2N1−z as prepared by gaseous nitriding of iron. The development of a magnetite layer in-between the hematite layer and the α-Fe substrate, at a later stage of oxidation, enhances layer-growth kinetics. After 100 min oxidation at 673 K the (parabolic) oxidation rates for α-Fe and ɛ-Fe2N1−z become about equal, indicating that on both substrates the oxide growth is controlled by the same rate limiting step which is attributed to short-circuit diffusion of iron cations. Oxidizing ɛ-Fe2N1−z increases the nitrogen concentration in the remaining ɛ-iron nitride, because the outward flux of iron cations, necessary for oxide growth, leads to an accumulation of nitrogen atoms left behind.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01675263
Permalink
