Failure Behavior of an Aluminide Coating on a Co-Base Superalloy during High-Temperature Oxidation in Air

A surface-morphology change has been observed for an aluminide coating on the Co-base superalloy DZ40M during oxidation at 1100°C in air. The oxide formed on the coating remained an even grayish-white color during the stable oxidation stage, whereas, dark-colored corrosion nodules were observed when oxidation of the coating accelerated. The number of nodules increased with time, along with growth of the nodules, eventually covering the entire surface which signified failure.