What's causing this to happen?

[touchthewindrider]

The air baffle has turned red, looks "powdery?" Any idea what's causing this to happen?
It destroys the bolt heads , which I want to remove to replace the baffle.

Thanks,

 

[begreen]

It's rust. Heat accelerates the oxidation. Why replacing the baffle? It looks to be still in fairly good condition but maybe I am missing something. The bolts may come out. Shoot some PB Blaster at them the night before and then may come out ok. If you do use stainless steel bolts. They will stand up better.

 

[Heatsource]

like begreen said, heat.
I'd say its been getting overfired a bit.

 

[begreen]

Those baffles get hot as they are designed to turbulate the flue gases that pass through it. This one doesn't look to be in awful shape. When they are really gone the fins start falling out.

 

[touchthewindrider]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll wait on replacing it. I've sprayed the bolts with PB and will wait until tomorrow to
attempt to remove them. I was told #5 bolts were what to use in the stove. You're recommending stainless steel?
If they hold up better, then by all means that's what I'll use. I want to remove it to replace the air distributor. Which
has deteriorated. And yes, I think the stove has overfired at times.
Thanks again!