The degradation mechanism metal dusting occurs in low and high pressure syngas
environments between 500 and 700 C. Metal dusting is a combination of both oxidation and
carburization effects, in which a (ferritic or austenitic) alloy matrix is supersaturated with
interstitial carbon, usually originating from gaseous carbon monoxide. At sufficiently high
temperatures, the alloy matrix will decompose into graphite, metal, metal oxide and metal
carbide particles, leading to loss of containment. A previous joint industry project (JIP)
established a general ranking of the resistance of materials. As yet, it is not known –but vitally
important- which material can be used in a certain given gas atmosphere. The ongoing
research programme aims to predict the aggressivity of any given syngas atmosphere, thus
coupling it to a range of appropriate construction alloys or coatings.