A study of the oxidation of FeCrAl alloy in pressurized water and high-temperature steam environment

The oxidation behaviour of the FeCrAl alloy under normal operating conditions of a light water reactor is reported. In a comparative study, Zr-based and FeCrAl alloy samples were corroded in pressurized 360 °C water for up to 500 days or oxidized at 1200 °C for 3000 s in a steam environment. Compared to Zr-based alloys, the FeCrAl alloy showed extremely low weight change after both tests. The microstructure of the oxides formed on FeCrAl alloys was characterized by various analysing techniques. It was concluded that depending on the test conditions, mostly different oxide phases of α-Fe 2 O 3 and α-Al 2 O 3 were formed.