AbstractThe wastage rates of two austenitic steels and one mild steel have been examined as a function of temperature. At low temperatures, oxide growth is slow and there is little wastage. At high temperatures, the increased plasticity of the oxide contributes to protective behaviour and low wastage rates. At intermediate temperatures, the combined effects of oxidation rate and a brittle oxide, which can easily fracture, lead to a maximum in the wastage versus temperature curve.MST/1128