Process of treating a stainless steel matrix

摘要

Heat resistant stainless steel may be treated in a low oxidizing atmosphere in a heat/soak-heat/soak sequence to deplete its surface of Ni and Cr which tend to catalyze coking of hydrocarbons in contact with the surface of the stainless steel, and enrich it with elements which are inert to coke formation. Parts made of stainless steel, such as furnace tubes or coils, treated in accordance with the present invention when used have a significantly reduced rate of catalytic coking.