Chemical processes involved in the initiation of hot corrosion of B-1900 and NASA-TRW VIA

Sodium surface-induced hot corrosion of B-1900 and NASA-TRW VIA alloys at 900 C has been studied, with special attention to the chemical reactions during and immediately after the induction period. Thermogravimetric tests were run and data were obtained by chemical analysis of water soluble metal salts and of residual sulfate. Surface analyses of hot corroded samples were obtained by spectroscopic techniques (ESCA). A chemical mechanism for elucidating Na2SO4-induced hot corrosion is proposed indicating that hot corrosion is initiated by basic fluxing of the protective Al2O3 scale. The sequential, catastrophic corrosion results from molybdenum content. The self-sustaining feature is a consequence of the cyclic nature of the acidic fluxing. It is believed that the mechanism is applicable not only to laboratory results, but also to the practical problem of hot corrosion encountered in gas turbine engines.