Oxidation behavior of a refractory AlNbTiVZr0.25 high-entropy alloy at 600⁻900 °C was investigated. At 600⁻700 °C, two-stage oxidation kinetics was found: Nearly parabolic oxidation (n = 0.46⁻0.48) at the first stage, transitioned to breakaway oxidation (n = 0.75⁻0.72) at the second stage. At 800 °C, the oxidation kinetics was nearly linear (n = 0.92) throughout the entire duration of testing. At 900 °C, the specimen disintegrated after 50 h of testing. The specific mass gains were estimated to be 7.2, 38.1, and 107.5, and 225.5 mg/cm² at 600, 700, and 800 °C for 100 h, and 900 °C for 50 h, respectively. Phase compositions and morphology of the oxide scales were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that the surface layer at 600 °C consisted of the V₂O₅, VO₂, TiO₂, Nb₂O₅, and TiNb₂O₇ oxides. Meanwhile, the scale at 900 °C comprised of complex TiNb₂O₇, AlNbO₄, and Nb₂Zr₆O17 oxides. The oxidation mechanisms operating at different temperatures were discussed and a comparison of oxidation characteristics with the other alloys was conducted.
Keywords: complex oxides; high entropy alloys; oxidation; refractory.