Abstract
Three austenitic Fe-31 Mn-9Al-xCr-0.87C alloys (x=0, 3 and 6) have been oxidized in dry air at 800 to 1100 ° C. An oxidation-induced ferrite layer is observed between the oxide layer and the austenite matrix. The ferrite layer is formed due to the selective oxidation of manganese. Qualitative and quantitative electron microscopic techniques are employed to investigate the morphological development and elemental redistribution in the alloy system. The mechanism of the formation and growth of the ferrite layer and the diffusion path of the carbon due to austenitic decomposition are explored. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.