Yttrium implantation and addition element effects on high temperature oxidation behaviour of reference steels

Yttrium implanted and unimplanted various reference steels were oxidized at 700 °C, under controlled atmosphere (oxygen partial pressure: 0.04 Pa), for 24 h to observe the yttrium implantation and the addition element effects on steel high temperature oxidation behaviours. Yttrium implantation effects on reference steels were characterized using analytical and structural techniques such as Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Glancing Angle X-ray Diffraction (GAXRD). Yttrium implanted and unimplanted reference steel oxidation behaviours were observed by thermogravimetry and in situ high temperature X-ray diffraction. Our results clearly show that yttrium implantation and high temperature oxidation induced the formation of several yttrium mixed oxides which closely depend on the reference steel addition elements. Moreover, these yttrium mixed oxides seem to be responsible for the improved reference steel oxidation resistance at high temperature.