DOE FWP No. FEAA061 Oxidation of Candidate Alloys in Steam at 17 Bar Final Report on Phase 1 Efforts in Support of the U.S. Consortium Program on Boiler Materials for Ultra-Supercritical Coal Power Plants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to generate definitive information on the oxidation behavior in steam of current and developmental ferritic steels, austenitic steels, and nickel-base alloys that of interest for application in advanced steam power cycles. The main topic of interest was the effects of alloy composition (within the limits imposed by available commercial alloys) and temperature on the rate and mode of corrosion. The results were intended to provide a basis for quantifying the rate of metal loss expected under advanced steam cycle conditions, as well as understanding of the evolution of oxide scale morphologies with time and temperature to identify features that could influence spallation/exfoliation characteristics. The overall effort was coordinated with the U.S. Ultra-Supercritical Steam Consortium Task 3, ‘Oxidation Resistance,’ conducted by The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W). Comparison of the results of the experimental exposures at elevated steam pressure in this study with those at atmospheric steam pressure by B&W was intended to provide insight into any effects of steam pressure.