Stainless Steels With Improved Oxidation Resistance for Recuperators

Abstract

New materials are being evaluated to replace type 347 stainless steel in microturbine recuperators operating at higher temperatures in order to increase the efficiency of the microturbine. Commercial alloys 120 and 625 are being tested along with potentially lower cost substitutes, such as Fe-20Cr-25Ni and Fe-20Cr-20Ni. Long-term testing of these materials at 650–700 °C shows excellent corrosion resistance to a simulated exhaust gas environment. Testing at 800 °C has been used to further differentiate the performance of the various materials. The depletion of Cr from foils of these materials is being used to evaluate the rate of attack. Although those alloys with the highest Ni and Cr contents have longer lives in this environment, lower alloyed steels may have sufficient protection at a lower cost.