Chromium evaporation and oxidation characteristics of alumina-forming austenitic stainless steels for balance of plant applications in solid oxide fuel cells

The chromium (Cr) evaporation behavior of several different types of iron (Fe)-based AFA alloys and benchmark Cr2O3-forming Fe-based 310 and Ni-based 625 alloys was investigated for 500 h exposures at 800 °C to 900 °C in air with 10% H2O. The Cr evaporation rates from alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) alloys were ~5 to 35 times lower than that of the Cr2O3-forming alloys depending on alloy and temperature. The Cr evaporation behavior was correlated with extensive characterization of the chemistry and microstructure of the oxide scales, which also revealed a degree of quartz tube Si contamination during the test. Long-term oxidation kinetics were also assessed at 800 to 1000 °C for up to 10,000 h in air with 10% H2O to provide further guidance for SOFC BOP component alloy selection. •Cr evaporation and oxidation behaviors of AFA alloys were studied.•Cr evaporation rates from AFA alloys were much lower than chromia-forming alloys.•Continuous alumina layer formed on AFA alloys remained steady after test.•Possible Si contamination and Cr deposited on alumina tubes were discussed.