Samples of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten metals have been given phosphided cases by heating in a phosphorous atmosphere. The samples were subsequently exposed to air at an elevated temperature. In tests at 800°C, the phosphided samples resisted air oxidation markedly compared to the pure untreated samples. The phosphided cases were only a few microns thick yet oxidation resistance of all these samples extended for several hours. Phosphided samples with 90° edges did not resist oxidation at the edges as well as rounded edge samples
