High-Temperature Properties of Chromium-Based Alloys
Summary
Chromium-based alloys are prized for their capacity to maintain mechanical integrity and chemical stability at elevated temperatures, making them essential in power generation, aerospace and chemical processing applications. Their inherent tendency to form a protective chromia (Cr₂O₃) scale imparts excellent oxidation resistance up to 1 200 °C, while alloying additions such as silicon, molybdenum and nickel further enhance scale adhesion, reduce nitridation and retard internal oxidation. At temperatures in excess of 800 °C these alloys may undergo creep deformation governed by dislocation glide and diffusional processes; control of grain size and precipitation of intermetallic phases (notably A15-type Cr₃Si) serve to bolster creep strength. Microstructural stability under cyclic thermal loading depends on the resistance of grain boundaries to embrittlement and the minimisation of scale spallation. Recent advances in powder-metallurgy and casting routes have improved densification and refined precipitate distributions, while novel modelling of oxidation kinetics has offered predictive insight into scale growth and failure. Together, these developments extend the service life of chromium-rich alloys in the most demanding high-temperature environments.
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High-Temperature Properties of Chromium-Based Alloys publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in high-temperature properties of chromium-based alloys across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Chromia (Cr₂O₃) scale: A thin, adherent oxide layer that forms on chromium-rich alloys, providing oxidation resistance.
Creep behaviour: Time-dependent plastic deformation under constant load at elevated temperature.
A15 phase: An intermetallic crystal structure typified by Cr₃Si, which precipitates to strengthen alloys at high temperature.
Nanophase separation sintering (NPSS): A powder-metallurgy technique that fosters fine-scale phase segregation, accelerating densification.
Duplex oxide scale: A two-layered oxide system, typically with an outer chromia layer and an inner silicon-rich layer, enhancing scale adhesion and reducing oxidation kinetics.
References
- Microstructural features underpinning the mechanical behavior of powder metallurgy Cr-based alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds (2025).
- Discontinuities in Oxidation Kinetics: A New Model and its Application to Cr–Si-Base Alloys. High Temperature Corrosion of Materials (2021).
- Investment casting of Cr–Si alloys with liquidus temperatures up to 1900 °C. International Journal of Metalcasting (2024).
- The Influence of Mo Content and Annealing on the Oxidation Behavior of Arc‐Melted Cr–xMo–8Si Alloys. Advanced Engineering Materials (2024).
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