Skip to main content
Log in

The high-temperature corrosion behavior of Co-Nb alloys in mixed-gas atmospheres

  • Published:
Oxidation of Metals Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The corrosion of Co-Nb alloys containing up to 30 wt.% Nb in H2-H2S-H2O gas mixtures was studied over the temperature range of 600–800°C. The gas composition falls in the stability region of cobalt sulfide and Nb2O5 in the phase diagrams of the Co-O-S and Nb-O-S systems at all temperatures studied. Duplex scales, consisting of an outer layer of cobalt sulfide and a complex, heterophasic inner layer, were formed at all temperatures studied. In addition to cobalt sulfide and CoNb3S6, a small amount of NbO2 was found in the inner layer. The reason for the formation of NbO2 over that of Nb2O5 in the scale is that the outer sulfide scale lowers the oxygen activity within the scale into the NbO2-stability region. Two-stage kinetics were observed for all alloys, including an initial irregular stage usually followed by a steady-state parabolic stage. The steady-state parabolic rate constants decreased with increasing amounts of Nb, except for Co-20Nb corroded at 700°C. Nearly identical kinetics were observed for Co-20Nb corroded at 600°C and 700°C. The presence of NbO2 particles leads only to a limited decrease of the available cross-section area for the outward-diffusing metal ions. The activation energies for all alloys are similar and are in agreement with those obtained in a study of the sulfidation of the same alloys. The primary corrosion mechanism involves an outward Co transport.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. E. J. Kubel, Jr.,Adv. Mater. Proc. 135(3), 37 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  2. K. Natesan,Corrosion 41(11), 646 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  3. T. T. Huang, L. E. Toth, and E. Pfender, inProceedings of the International Conference on Behavior of High Temperature Alloys in Aggressive Environments, I. Kirmanet al., eds. (Metal Society, London, 1980), p. 717.

    Google Scholar 

  4. K. N. Strafford and P. K. Datta,Mater. Sci. Tech. 5, 765 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. F. Chen and D. L. Douglass,Oxid. Met. 31, 237 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  6. B. Gleeson, D. L. Douglass, and F. Gesmundo,Oxid. Met. 31, 209 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  7. R. V. Carter, D. L. Douglass, and F. Gesmundo,Oxid. Met. 31, 341 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  8. M. F. Chen, D. L. Douglass, and F. Gesmundo,Oxid. Met. 32, 185 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  9. G. Wang, R. V. Carter, D. L. Douglass,Oxid. Met. 32, 273 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  10. B. Gleeson, D. L. Douglass, and F. Gesmundo,Oxid. Met. 33, 425 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  11. P. Singh and N. Birks,Oxid. Met. 12, 23 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  12. F. Gesmundo and C. De Asmundis, inProceedings of the International Conference on Behavior of High Temperature Alloys in Aggressive Environments, I. Kirmanet al., ed. (Metal Society, London, 1980), p. 435.

    Google Scholar 

  13. K. Holthe and P. Kofstad,Corros. Sci. 20, 919 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  14. N. S. Jacobson and W. L. Worrell,J. Electrochem. Soc. 131, 1182 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Metals Handbook, Metallography, Structures and Phases, Vol.8, 8th Ed. (ASM, Metals Park, Ohio, 1973).

  16. D. Hodouin,Met. Trans. B 6B, 223 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  17. S. R. Shatynski,Oxid. Met. 11, 307 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  18. H. R. Larson and J. F. Elliott,Trans. Met. Soc. AIME 239, 1713 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  19. G. J. Yurek and M. H. LaBranche, inProceedings of the Conference on Corrosion-Erosion-Wear of Materials in Emerging Fossil Energy Systems, A. V. Levy, ed. (NACE, Houston, 1982). p. 933.

    Google Scholar 

  20. T. Flatley and N. Birks,J. Iron Steel Inst. 209, 523 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  21. F. Gesmundo, D. J. Young, and S. K. Roy,High Temp. Mater. Proc. 8, 149 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  22. J. Stringer and D. P. Whittle,Rev. Int. Htes Temp. Refract. 14, 6 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  23. J. M. van den Berg and P. Cossee,Inorg. Chim. Acta 2, 143 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  24. P. Kofstad,High-Temperature Oxidation of Metals (Wiley and Sons, New York, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  25. H. Rau,J. Phys. Chem. 37, 931 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  26. S. Mrowec, S. Rusiecki, and A. Wojtowicz,Bull. Pol. Acad. Sci. Chem. 34, 411 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  27. A. Davin,Cobalt. 30, 19 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shing, C.C., Douglass, D.L. & Gesmundo, F. The high-temperature corrosion behavior of Co-Nb alloys in mixed-gas atmospheres. Oxid Met 37, 167–187 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00665188

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00665188

Key words

Navigation