Oxidation Behavior of a Novel Nickel-Based Alloy in Air and Steam at 1273 K for the Oxygen–Hydrogen Combustion Chamber

As part of advancing oxygen–hydrogen combustion power generation technology, a study was carried out to evaluate the oxidation behavior of a novel developed Ni–Cr–W alloy as the structural material candidate. Tungsten is utilized in the alloy as a solid solution-strengthened element and as an α₂-W precipitate former. The examination involved exposing the developed alloy and commercial alloys, Hastelloy X and Nimonic 263, to air and steam environments at 1273 K. The results show a different oxidation behavior of the developed alloy. Considering the air oxidation kinetics, the performance of the developed alloy was on par with that of Hastelloy X and superior to Nimonic 263. A single outer chromia scale was established with an intergranular oxide. Whereas steam exposure resulted in the formation of outer and inner chromia scales with a deeper intergranular oxide penetration. Thicker chromia formation with a lower mass gain indicates the evaporation of chromia under a steam atmosphere.