Study of the continuous corrosion in an oxidation environment derived from the theoretical combustion products in a refinery. Case study: Ferritic steel ASTM A335 P91

Corrosion studies are key element that ensure the correct functioning of equipment in the industrial sector. The oxidation phenomena were evaluated, taking as a case study steel ASTM A335 P91 (P91), a steel of typical use in equipment that work at high temperatures. Five (5) exposure times were selected for the experimental development: 1, 20, 50, 100 and 200h; as well as four (4) analysis temperatures: 450, 550, 650 and 750°C. Through the metallographic analysis was possible to evidence the presence of multiple carbide precipitates and a ferritic structure, after all the temperatures tested. On the other hand, the analysis of hardness and microhardness showed an increase for all the evaluated temperatures. These increases were mainly related to the precipitation of carbides in the coupons of P91. Regarding to the chemical analysis, it was possible to conclude that after 200h of experimentation in each temperature, a layer of duplex oxide, composed mainly of hematite, magnetite and spinel iron-chromium, was formed in the O2/H2O atmosphere. Finally, the kinetic study demonstrated that the oxide layer formed on each coupon of P91 was of protective character.