This study aimed to understand the effects of temperature on the microstructure stability of
an HP-40 alloy commonly used in steam methane reformer furnaces. In order to simulate
possible solid phase transformations such as secondary carbide precipitation, carbide
coarsening and dissolution, tube samples have been aged at 1253K and 1373K for periods
of time up to 3,000 hrs, either under atmospheric or under low oxygen partial pressure. The
microstructural evolution was verified through the use of optical and electronic microscopes
(SEM and TEM). As expected, the main consequences of the high-temperature exposure in
air during ageing was the formation of a continuous and external chromium oxide scale
(Cr2O3), which acts as a protective barrier against further corrosion, followed by a
discontinuous layer characterized by an internal silicon oxide layer. Microprobe and SEM
observations showed also important changes in the morphology and quantity of primary and
secondary carbides.