Structural aspects of corrosion resistance in alloys based on the Fe3Al intermetallic phase in the cast state

This paper presents the results of investigation of four cast alloys based on the Fe3Al intermetallic phase. Microstructure tests using light microscopy, electron scanning microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods, have been performed. On this basis, a presence of particles rich in zirconium and molybdenum, and in case of the alloy with 28 at.% aluminium and 5 at.% chromium — the presence of sigma phase (FeCr), has been found. Also, the results of the study of the microstructure influence on the electrochemical corrosion resistance in the 5 % NaCl solution have been presented. The Fe-26Al-2Cr-1Mo-0.1Zr-0.005B at.% and Fe-26Al-5Cr-1Mo-0.1Zr-0.005B at.% alloys exhibited increased corrosion resistance in comparison to the Fe-23Al-1Mo-0.1Zr-0.005B at.% alloy without chromium addition. The appearance of the sigma phase in the alloy of Fe-28Al-5Cr-1Mo-0.1Zr-0.005B at.% chemical composition resulted in lowering the corrosion resistance of this alloy and a change in corrosion character from the pitting to the intercrystalline one.