High Temperature Oxidation of Metals

在许多应用中，金属合金依赖于铬和/或氧化铝的形成来提供腐蚀保护。例如，氧化铬的形成使不锈钢成为“不锈”。在含有氧气和/或蒸汽的环境中，许多高温应用需要类似的保护性氧化铝的形成。一些例子包括：炉中的加热元件，汽车催化转换器，燃气轮机，以及当前和未来的能源系统。拟议的“金属高温氧化”计划旨在进行新的研究，评估用于这些应用的金属合金的耐腐蚀/抗氧化性，并推动科学领域的进步，其中仍然存在重大的知识空白。将采用多学科方法，结合现代显微学、腐蚀科学和冶金学，培养高素质人才。

In many applications, metal alloys depend on the formation of chromium and/or aluminum oxide(s) to provide corrosion protection. For example, the formation of a chromium oxide is what makes stainless steel “stainless”. The analogous formation of a protective aluminum oxide is required for many high temperature applications in environments containing oxygen and/or steam. Some examples include: heating elements in furnaces, automobile catalytic converters, gas turbines, and current and future energy systems. The proposed “High Temperature Oxidation of Metals” program seeks to perform novel research evaluating corrosion/oxidation resistance of metal alloys used for these applications, and to progress the scientific field, where significant knowledge gaps still exist. A multi-disciplinary approach will be applied to train highly qualified personnel (HQP), incorporating modern microscopy, corrosion science and metallurgy. While extensive research has been done evaluating high temperature (800 ºC and above) oxidation of metal alloys in oxygen and air, there has been limited work in steam environments. This is of concern given that the aforementioned applications involve exposure to steam. In addition, research is needed at intermediate temperatures (300 ºC to 800 ºC), where current and future energy systems are expected to operate. The proposed program targets these knowledge gaps, particularly important to scientists in the field and the energy industry. The practical importance of the proposed scientific research is evident from the near-disaster at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station in 2011; this event was due to the lack of oxidation resistance in a core component at high temperatures during a loss of coolant accident. This program incorporates projects specifically aiming to evaluate and aid development of metal alloys for accident scenarios in high temperature environments in nuclear power plants. Novel research from this program will advance understanding of high temperature oxidation of aluminum and chromium containing metal alloys in steam. In parallel, potential materials degradation modes can be studied in this environment by applying advanced microscopy methods to study materials at the atomic scale. HQP will learn to use specialized high temperature experimental equipment and advanced microscopes, gaining multi-disciplinary skills applicable to many industries such as nuclear, natural gas, semiconductor, automotive, and aerospace. Finally, this program will positively impact Canadians as advanced high temperature materials are needed for future energy systems, to increase thermal efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, this program aims to aid in development of metal alloys for accident scenarios in nuclear power plants, addressing safety concerns amongst Canadians and internationally since the near-disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.