A new 3Cr-1.6W super-bainitic steel, Grade 315, was developed with superior creep
properties, enabling use at higher temperature than current 1-2%Cr steels. However, with only
3%Cr, this material may experience corrosion problems when exposed at higher (600°-650°C)
temperatures. The oxidation behavior of this new material was compared to other Fe-Cr alloys
in steam, wet air, CO2-H2O and fireside corrosion. The oxidation performance of Gr.315 was
consistent with its Cr content and with that of Fe-2.25Cr (Grade 22). In order to improve
oxidation resistance in the presence of water vapor, thin aluminide coatings on Gr.315 and
Gr.22 were evaluated at 550°-800°C. Early coating failures compared to similar coatings on
9Cr substrates suggested that the alloy Cr content has a significant effect on coating life as has
been observed in model Fe-Al-Cr alloys and that different coating compositions need to be
evaluated for this steel.
Keywords: bainitic steel, high temperature oxidation, steam, coating, CO2