Abstract
The effects of two methods for the surface addition of yttrium on the oxidation behaviour of 304 stainless steel have been investigated. Isothermal oxidation tests were performed at 1000° C in air for 100 h. The results show that ion implantation and sol-gel coating have similar effects, reducing significantly the scale growth rate. In situ X-ray diffraction analyses clearly demonstrate that surface additions of yttrium allow the oxidation rate of type 304 stainless steel to be reduced by limiting the growth of non-adherent iron rich oxide. In situ analyses were also carried out during cooling in order to observe the structural evolution of oxides formed at high temperature.