Effects of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles on the high-temperature oxidation behavior of IN738LC manufactured by laser powder bed fusion

Oxidation tests at 1095 °C were performed on cubes of IN738LC doped with Y₂O₃ nanoparticles processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Adding Y₂O₃ nanoparticles led to grain coarsening and the formation of Y₄Al₂O₉, both of which were expected to lead to reduced corrosion resistance in this alloy through a change from an Al-type oxide scale to Cr-type. However, 0.05 wt% Y₂O₃ addition was found to nonetheless be beneficial for corrosion resistance. Results and mechanisms for this were discussed and further work was recommended, in particular for the grain coarsening.