Yes, KG, you are correct. When the scale is formed, it slows down further oxidation. The oxidation of stainless steel is more complicated than of carbon steels because in addition to iron oxides hematite and magnetite also chromium rich oxide is formed.
I would be interested to read more about initial stages of steel oxidation at room temperature. Most papers I have seen were describing the situation at higher and high temperatures.
Just out of curiosity. Two decades ago US Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviewed low temperature oxidation of carbon steels intended as package materials for radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In this compilation the oxidation kinetics was extrapolated to 1000 years at 250°C (480°F). For a low carbon steel with fine pearlite microstructure they calculated only 4 microns of oxides.
Jan
I would be interested to read more about initial stages of steel oxidation at room temperature. Most papers I have seen were describing the situation at higher and high temperatures.
Just out of curiosity. Two decades ago US Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviewed low temperature oxidation of carbon steels intended as package materials for radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In this compilation the oxidation kinetics was extrapolated to 1000 years at 250°C (480°F). For a low carbon steel with fine pearlite microstructure they calculated only 4 microns of oxides.
Jan