Date of Award

2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Chemistry

Supervisor

Dr. N.S. McIntyre

Abstract

A comprehensive assessment of the oxide grown on Incoloy alloy 800 has enhanced the understanding of the oxide film’s composition and growth, specifically for application as a protective pre-treatment. Surface morphology, chemical composition, oxide film thicknesses and kinetics have all been studied using, principally, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Gas-phase oxidations were performed at temperatures of 300°C in atmospheres of 1% O2 at 1 atm for up to 24h. All samples displayed similar oxidation behaviour over the exposure period. A multi-layered oxide film was detected and was composed primarily

of an exterior y-Fe20_3 with a small Cr2 0 3 layer at the oxide-metal interface. Small additions of NiCr2C>4 and NiFe2C>4 were distributed throughout the film. Direct logarithmic kinetics were observed and were indicative of an oxide film that was self- limiting in its growth at the experimental temperatures. The influence of grain size and minor cold work, in the form of localized indentation, on the oxide film formed on Incoloy 800 has been studied.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.