Breakaway oxidation su acciai inossidabili

In this study, high temperature oxidation treatments were performed on an AISI 304L steel under controlled conditions, in order to investigate the breakaway oxidation phenomenon. It consists on the local fracture of the oxide layer due to thermal or mechanical shocks, and the consequent exposition of non-oxidized metal to the oxidizing atmosphere. Due to its nature, it is a phenomenon difficult to foresee and monitor. Thermal analysis and electronic microscopy techniques were optimized in order to characterize the breakaway oxidation. The influence of temperature, oxidizing atmosphere and moisture were evaluated, especially from the point of view of the industrial production process of stainless steels. The possibility of accurately predicting the times at which the breakaway oxidation appears, turned out to be limited.