The effects of steam, high pressures and high temperatures on disintegration of dense alumina rods, accompanied with a loss of strength. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) combined with Ar ion sputtering was used to study the variation in elemental composition of external and fracture surfaces of dense alumina rods exposed to steam and steam-CO at 385 to 1015 psia. Calcium segregated to both kinds of surface. A direct correlation was found between this segregation and the modulus of rupture
