Saturation effects occurring in oxidation of Fe, (Fe–C) and (Fe–3%Cr) alloys

The following oxidation experiments and their analysis are reported: (i) Time dependence of the oxidation of Fe-wires in ambient air at 1100°C; (ii) Time dependence of the oxidation of (Fe–C) alloy in purified O2 at 500°C; and (iii) Time dependence of the oxidation of (Fe–Cr) alloy in dry O2 at 800°C. All the measured time dependences reveal saturation effect. A new model for the description and evaluation of experimental data is proposed. It expresses the fact that the high-temperature oxidation of thin wires and strips follows an exponential law.