High temperature oxidation of stainless steel AISI316L in air plasma

Abstract: A study on surface oxidation of AISI316L stainless steel surface was performed. Stainless steel was oxidized in air plasma with a high degree of dissociation of oxygen molecules of about 70%. The resultant flux of oxygen atoms to the surface was about 1×1024 m−2 s−1. The oxidation was performed at high temperatures ranging up to 1250K. The oxidation time was 5min. After oxidation the surface of the samples was analyzed by different methods including Auger electron depth profiling (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure and composition of the surface were temperature dependent. In all cases high Cr concentration was observed on the surface after oxidation at a temperature above 600K. With increasing temperature Mn concentration at the surface increased as well. Below 1000K the oxide film was uniform, while above 1000K islands with large spinel particles were observed to appear. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]