The influence of the addition of molybdenum on the oxidation behavior of Fe-25Cr-20Ni alloys was
studied in an N2-H2-H2O gas mixture at 700 to 900oC. The mass gain followed a near-parabolic rate
law or a slightly slower rate law for all the specimens. The mass gain of the Mo-added alloys tended to
be smaller than those of the non-Mo-added alloy at 700oC, though the mass gain of the Mo-added
alloys became rather greater than that of the non-Mo-added alloy at 900oC. Relatively thick oxide scale,
the thickness of which was uneven, was formed on non-Mo-added and 1-mass% Mo-added alloys
especially at 700oC. On the other hand, thin Cr-rich oxide scale, the thickness of which was even, was
formed on 3.5- and 7-mass% Mo-added alloys. A Mo-Cr-rich phase precipitated within the substrates
on the 3.5- and 7-mass% Mo-added alloys, resulting in smaller grain sizes. It could be concluded that
the smaller grain size promoted the preferential diffusion of Cr toward the alloy surfaces and the Mo-Crrich
phase also played a role as a Cr-supplier, contributing to the maintenance of the Cr-rich protective
oxide scale.