AMBALI IBRAHIM OWOLABITan, S.MJalaluddin, M.AAnasyida, A.SAbdullah, T.KDhindaw,B.K2026-05-122026-05-122024-12-20Ambali, I. O., Tan, S.M., Jalaluddin, M.A., Anasyida, A.S., Abdullah, T.K., & Dhindaw, B.K. (2024). Investigation of Al2O3-Modified Aluminide on 304SS: Microstructural Evolution, Hardness and Growth Kinetics through Slurry Aluminizing. International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa.72, 1-12. Published by Trans Tech Publications Ltd,Q3/Scopus Available online at: TOC: https://www.scientific.net/JERA.72.1 URL: https://www.scientific.net/JERA.72.11663-4144https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/123456789/18348The alumina alumina alumina alumina alumina microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure microstructure 2O3)- aluminide aluminide aluminide aluminide aluminide coating were investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The coating were investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The coating were investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The coating were investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The coating were investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The modifiedwere investigated at 650℃, 680℃, and 700℃ for various durations (4, 6, 8, and 10 hours) using the slurry aluminizing process. The heat-treated heat-treated heat-treated heat-treated -treated samples samples samples samples samples samples were were were analyzed analyzed analyzed analyzed through through through through through through through scanning scanning scanning scanning scanning scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS), and X-ray diffraction XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, phases of the coating. SEM electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS), and X-ray diffraction XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, phases of the coating. SEM electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS), and X-ray diffraction XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, phases of the coating. SEM electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS), and X-ray diffraction XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, phases of the coating. SEM electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy EDS), and X-ray diffraction XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, phases of the coating. SEM microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess microstructural evolution, elemental composition, and phases of the coating. SEM observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following observations revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and Fe-FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with between 610 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated the thickness of layers increased both aluminizing temperature time, following revealed a two-layer aluminide coating, comprising an Al-rich intermetallic (FeAl3) and a Fe-rich intermetallic (FeAl). Microhardness tests showed that FeAl3 had hardness values ranging from 880 to 990 HV, while FeAl, with values between 610 and 700 HV. The growth kinetics indicated that the thickness of the aluminide layers increased with both the aluminizing temperature and time, following a parabolic growth law. The activation energy for the of FeAl was 343.15 kJ/mol.enslurry aluminizing304SSintermetallichardnessactivation energyArticle