Foreword
This book describes high temperature corrosion of ceramics. The materials in-
vestigated in this particular study were silica, alumina, silicon nitride and silicon
carbide. In addition to the pure single crystals or CVD materials, typical engi-
neering materials of various purities were included in the study. The corrosion
conditions were ‘hot corrosion’ in which gaseous corrosion was enhanced by
Na2S04 deposits. Some gaseous corrosion and oxidation experiments were also
performed. The hot corrosion was studied at IOOO’C and at lower tempera-
tures, in the presence of pure oxygen and oxygen containing SO2 and SOs. The
changes in morphology of the surfaces were observed in the scanning electron
microscope. This instrument and the related x-ray microanalysis were the
major tools of research. A method of measurement of oxide thickness in the
electron microprobe was developed for the experiments on silicon nitride and
silicon carbide.
In the use of materials at elevated temperatures in harsh environments, it is ap-
parent that, in most instances, ceramics are the best choice to provide corrosion
resistance. While ceramics may be more corrosion resistant than metallic alloys
and polymers, ceramics can react with certain environments. The purpose of
this study, then, was to systematically investigate the corrosion of ceramics and
to develop a theory generally applicable to all ceramics.
A great number of ceramic materials are available for use in a variety of corrosive
environments. In order to develop a theory applicable to the corrosion of cer-
amics in general, it was necessary to investigate a variety of representative cer-
amic materials exposed to a number of different corrosive environments. In
order to keep the number of experiments at a reasonable number, the ceramic
materials used in this study were selected on the basis by which resistance to
corrosion was developed, in particular, by being immune to the environment
or by developing passivity. Furthermore, the environments used to produce
corrosion were selected based upon the likelihood of their being encountered in
practice and their severity.
V
vi Foreword
The information in the book is from High Temperature Corrosion of Ceramics,
prepared by J.R. Blachere and F.S. Pettit of the University of Pittsburgh for the
U.S. Department of Energy, December 1987.
The table of contents is organized in such a way as to serve as a subject index
and provides easy access to the information contained in the book.
Advanced composition and production methods developed by
Noyes Data Corporation are employed to bring this durably
bound book to you in a minimum of time. Special techniques
are used to close the gap between “manuscript” and “completed
book.” In order to keep the price of the book to a reasonable
level, it has been partially reproduced by photo-offset directly
from the original report and the cost saving passed on to the
reader. Due to this method of publishing, certain portions of
the book may be less legible than desired.
NOTICE
The materials in this book were prepared as an account
of work sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Neither the United States Government nor the Depart-
ment of Energy, nor any of their employees, nor any of
their contractors, sub-contractors, or their employees,
nor the Publisher, makes any warranty, express or im-
plied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for
the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any infor-
mation, apparatus, product or process disclosed or rep-
resents that its use would not infringe privately-owned
rights.
Final determination of the suitability of any informa-
tion or procedure for use contemplated by any user,
and the manner of that use, is the sole responsibility of
the user. The reader is warned that caution must always
be exercised when dealing with ceramics at high temper-
atures, and expert advice should be sought at all times
before implementation.
