Chromium segregation-induced oxide evolution in Ni-10Cr alloys during high-temperature oxidation

Xiao, Shuai; Cai, Ya; Peng, Xiao; Chen, Jianmin; Liu, Yujing; Cai, Canying; Liu, Xiaochun; Zhou, Guangwen

doi:10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113332

Chromium segregation-induced oxide evolution in Ni-10Cr alloys during high-temperature oxidation

Journal Article · Thu Sep 18 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Corrosion Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113332· OSTI ID:3015862

Xiao, Shuai ^[1]; Cai, Ya ^[2]; Peng, Xiao ^[2]; Chen, Jianmin ^[2]; Liu, Yujing ^[3]; ^[2]; Liu, Xiaochun ^[4]; Zhou, Guangwen ^[5]

Xiangtan University (China); Baoji Xigong Titanium Alloy Products Co., Ltd (China)
Xiangtan University (China)
Baoji Xigong Titanium Alloy Products Co., Ltd (China)
Changsha University of Science & Technology (China); Shenzhen Focalon Applied Academy (China)
State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (United States)

The oxidation behavior of a Ni-10(wt%)Cr alloy under high-temperature O₂ conditions is investigated using transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Results reveal that chromium segregation plays a central role in driving the evolution of complex oxide phase structures during oxidation. At low Cr concentrations, Cr preferentially segregates to NiO grain boundaries or internal pores, substituting for Ni atoms and forming Ni(Cr)O solid solutions. As Cr content increases, enhanced diffusion promotes Cr penetration into the NiO lattice, leading to the formation of multiphase oxide structures. First-principles modeling corroborates these findings: at low Cr concentrations, Cr atoms favor surface and grain-boundary segregation, while higher concentrations lead to Cr aggregation within the NiO bulk. Furthermore, the integrated experimental-theoretical approach provides atomistic insights into Cr-mediated mass transport mechanisms during alloy oxidation and offers valuable guidance for controlling oxide growth kinetics and phase stability in Ni-Cr alloys, with implications for improving oxidation resistance in high-temperature structural applications.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: State University of New York, Binghamton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Natural Scientific Foundation of China; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0001135

OSTI ID:: 3015862

Journal Information:: Corrosion Science, Journal Name: Corrosion Science Vol. 257; ISSN 0010-938X

Publisher:: Elsevier BVCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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