High-Temperature Performance of Alloyed Cast Irons and Cr/Ni Austenitic Steels—an Overview and Discussion

Abstract Fe-based cast alloys, including cast irons and steels, have been used in service at a wide range of mechanical and thermal load in oxidizing environment. Special alloying practices can be used to improve high temperature performance of Fe-based cast alloys in an oxidizing atmosphere. At elevated temperatures, alloying elements can produce a protective interface layer which prevents oxidant penetration into the metal matrix. However, a combination of thermo-mechanical loads along with surface oxidation can decrease the materials integrity by destroying the stable protected interface limiting the range of working parameters and lifetime performance of the material. This overview aims to summarize the authors’ published studies in co-authorship with colleagues and students, which covers analysis of high temperature performance of different cast-based materials, including alloyed ductile irons and austenitic steels. An analysis of cast components performance in harsh high temperature environments is addressed by incorporating the experimental data into a novel model was done. The role of alloying and specific casting features, such as microstructural dispersity and as-cast surface was discussed.