Metal dusting is defined as the high-temperature corrosion that occurs in Fe-, Co-, or Ni-base alloys when exposed in strongly carburizing gas atmospheres in the temperature range of 400 to 900„aC. Both molten carbonate fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells designed to operate at reduced temperature work in the metal dusting temperature window. The Alloy components in these fuel cells are thus susceptible to attack by metal dusting corrosion.

High-temperature Fe- and Ni-base alloys were tested in carbonaceous gases that are relevant to the fuel cell operating condition. The effects of gas and alloy composition on corrosion rates were studied. The phases present in the oxide scales were found to play an important role in the ability to protect the alloys from metal dusting. In general, Ni-base alloys showed better resistance to metal dusting than the Fe-base alloys because the major phase in the oxide scale developed on Ni-base alloys is chromic oxide, whereas the predominant phase is (Fe, Cr) spinel on Fe-base alloys.