Oxidation properties of ferritic stainless steel in dual Ar–H2–H2O/air atmosphere exposure with regard to SOFC interconnect application

The oxidation kinetics and microstructure of oxide products formed on the DIN 50049 ferritic stainless steel were studied during exposure to a dual Ar–H2–H2O/air atmosphere, i.e. under conditions simulating SOFC operation at 1073 K. The parabolic rate constants of the scales on the air and Ar–H2–H2O sides of the steel were almost identical to those observed for scales oxidized in single atmospheres. The dense oxide scales that developed on the DIN 50049 steel during oxidation in a dual atmosphere were composed of Cr2O3 and the Mn1.5Cr1.5O4 spinel.