Microstructural Characterization and Hot Corrosion Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed Fe17Cr2Ni0.18C/Fly Ash Cenosphere-Based Composite Coating

The current investigation studies the microstructure and high-temperature hot corrosion behavior of plasma-sprayed coatings. The composition of Fe17Cr2Ni0.18C and fly ash cenosphere powder is maintained in the 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% ratio by weight percent, respectively. Both powder mixtures were thoroughly blended correspondingly and coated on T22 boiler steel tubings. Thermocyclic hot corrosion studies were examined in a liquid salt condition of Na₂SO₄—60% V₂O₅ for 17 cycles of 51 h at 600°C on bare and coated steels. Thermogravimetric practice was used to establish the kinetics of hot corrosion of uncoated and coated steels. As-coated samples are studied for microstructure and microhardness. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray mapping characterization techniques have been utilized for structural analysis of the as-coated and hot-corroded samples. It was observed that FeCrNiC/cenosphere-coated steels showed better hot corrosion resistance than the uncoated steels. The coated steels follow the parabolic rate law of oxidation, and parabolic rate constant values are lower in comparison to the uncoated steels. Better resistance is provided by the high-temperature permanence of mullite, alumina, and defensive oxide layer of silicon that is formed at elevated temperatures.