Strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels:A review

This review summarizes the strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic(RAFM) steels. High-angle grain boundaries, subgrain boundaries, nano-sized M_(23)C_6, and MX carbide precipitates effectively hinder dislocation motion and increase high-temperature strength. M_(23)C_6 carbides are easily coarsened under high temperatures, thereby weakening their ability to block dislocations. Creep properties are improved through the reduction of M_(23)C_6 carbides. Thus, the loss of strength must be compensated by other strengthening mechanisms. This review also outlines the recent progress in the development of RAFM steels. Oxide dispersion-strengthened steels prevent M_(23)C_6 precipitation by reducing C content to increase creep life and introduce a high density of nano-sized oxide precipitates to offset the reduced strength. Severe plastic deformation methods can substantially refine subgrains and MX carbides in the steel. The thermal deformation strengthening of RAFM steels mainly relies on thermo-mechanical treatment to increase the MX carbide and subgrain boundaries. This procedure increases the creep life of TMT(thermo-mechanical treatment) 9 Cr–1 W–0.06 Ta steel by ～20 times compared with those of F82 H and Eurofer 97 steels under 550°C/260 MPa.     

Effect of long-term service on the precipitates in P92 steel

The precipitates in P92 steel after long-term service in an ultra-supercritical unit were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and were found to mainly consist of M₂₃C₆ carbides, Laves phase, and MX carbonitrides. No Z-phase was observed. M₂₃C₆ carbides and Laves phase were found not only on prior austenite grain boundaries, martensite lath boundaries, and subgrain boundaries but also in lath interiors, where two types of MX carbonitrides—Nb-rich and V-rich particles—were also observed but the “winged” complexes were hardly found. Each kind of precipitate within the martensite laths exhibited multifarious morphologies, suggesting that a morphological change of precipitates occurred during long-term service. The M₂₃C₆ carbides and Laves phase coarsened substantially, and the latter grew faster than the former. However, MX carbonitrides exhibited a relatively low coarsening rate. The effect of the evolution of the precipitate phases on the creep rupture strength of P92 steel was discussed.     

Precipitation analysis of as-cast HK40 steel after isothermal aging

As-cast HK40 steel was aged at 700, 800, or 900℃ for times as long as 2000 h. Microstructural characterization showed that the primary M₇C₃ carbide network contained a substantial content of manganese, in agreement with the microsegregation of manganese calculated by Thermo-Calc using the Scheil-Gulliver module. The dissolution of primary carbides caused the solute supersaturation of austenite and subsequent precipitation of fine M₂₃C₆ carbides in the austenite matrix for aged specimens. During prolonged aging, the carbide size increased with increasing time because of the coarsening process. A time-temperature-precipitation diagram for M₂₃C₆ carbides was calculated using the Thermo-Calc PRISMA software; this diagram showed good agreement with the experimental growth kinetics of precipitation. The fine carbide precipitation caused an increase in hardness; however, the coarsening process of carbides promoted a decrease in hardness. Nanoindentation tests of the austenite matrix indicated an increase in ductility with increasing aging time.     

Effect of vanadium and chromium on the microstructural features of V-Cr-Mn-Ni spheroidal carbide cast irons

The objective of this investigation is to study the influence of vanadium (5.0wt%–10.0wt%) and chromium (0–9.0wt%) on the microstructure and hardness of Cr-V-Mn-Ni white cast irons with spheroidal vanadium carbides. The alloys’ microstructural features are presented and discussed with regard to the distribution of phase elements. The structural constituents of the alloys are spheroidal VC, proeutectoid cementite, ledeburite eutectic, rosette-shaped carbide eutectic (based on M₇C₃), pearlite, martensite, and austenite. Their combinations and area fraction (AF) ratios are reported to be influenced by the alloys’ chemical composition. Spheroidized VC particles are found to be sites for the nucleation of carbide eutectics. Cr and V are shown to substitute each other in the VC and M₇C₃ carbides, respectively. Chromium alloying leads to the formation of a eutectic (γ-Fe + M₇C₃), preventing the appearance of proeutectoid cementite in the structure. Vanadium and chromium are revealed to increase the total carbide fraction and the amount of austenite in the matrix. Cr is observed to play a key role in controlling the metallic matrix microstructure.     

Effect of aging temperature on the microstructures and mechanical properties of ZG12Cr9Mo1Co1NiVNbNB ferritic heat-resistant steel

The effect of aging on the mechanical properties and microstructures of a new ZG12Cr9Mo1Co1NiVNbNB ferritic heat resistant steel was investigated in this work to satisfy the high steam parameters of the ultra-supercritical power plant. The results show that the main precipitates during aging are Fe(Cr, Mo)₂₃C₆, V(Nb)C, and (Fe₂Mo) Laves in the steel. The amounts of the precipitated phases increase during aging, and correspondingly, the morphologies of phases are similar to be round. Fe(Cr, Mo)₂₃C₆ appears along boundaries and grows with increasing temperature. In addition, it is revealed that the martensitic laths are coarsened and eventually happen to be polygonization. The hardness and strength decrease gradually, whereas the plasticity of the steel increases. What’s more, the hardness of this steel after creep is similar to that of other 9%–12%Cr ferritic steels. Thus, ZG12Cr9Mo1Co1NiVNbNB can be used in the project.     

Solidification microstructure formation in HK40 and HH40 alloys

The microstructure formation processes in HK40 and HH40 alloys were investigated through JmatPro calculations and quenching performed during directional solidification. The phase transition routes of HK40 and HH40 alloys were determined as L → L + γ → L + γ + M₇C₃ → γ + M₇C₃ → γ + M₇C₃ + M₂₃C₆→ γ + M₂₃C₆ and L → L + δ → L + δ + γ→ L + δ + γ + M₂₃C₆ δ + γ + M₂₃C₆, respectively. The solidification mode was determined to be the austenitic mode (A mode) in HK40 alloy and the ferritic–austenitic solidification mode (FA mode) in HH40 alloy. In HK40 alloy, eutectic carbides directly precipitate in a liquid and coarsen during cooling. The primary γ dendrites grow at the 60° angle to each other. On the other hand, in HH40 alloy, residual δ forms because of the incomplete transformation from δ to γ. Cr₂₃C₆ carbide is produced in solid delta ferrite δ but not directly in liquid HH40 alloy. Because of carbide formation in the solid phase and no rapid growth of the dendrite in a non-preferential direction, HH40 alloy is more resistant to cast defect formation than HK40 alloy.     

Characterization and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> formation mechanism of tungsten carbide reinforced Fe-based alloy coating by plasma cladding

The precursor carbonization method was first applied to prepare W-C compound powder to perform the in-situ synthesis of the WC phase in a Fe-based alloy coating. The in-situ formation mechanism during the cladding process is discussed in detail. The results reveal that fine and obtuse WC particles were successfully generated and distributed in Fe-based alloy coating via Fe/W-C compound powders. The WC particles were either surrounded by or were semi-enclosed in blocky M₇C₃ carbides. Moreover, net-like structures were confirmed as mixtures of M₂₃C₆ and α-Fe; these structures were transformed from M₇C₃. The coarse herringbone M₃C carbides did not only derive from the decomposition of M₇C₃ but also partly originated from the chemical reaction at the α-Fe/M₂₃C₆ interface. During the cladding process, the phase evolution of the precipitated carbides was WC → M₇C₃ → M₂₃C₆+M₃C.     

Microstructural evolution of a heat-treated H23 tool steel

The microstructure and the stability of carbides after heat treatments in an H23 tool steel were investigated. The heat treatments consisted of austenization at two different austenizing temperatures (1100℃ and 1250℃), followed by water quenching and double-aging at 650℃, 750℃, and 800℃ with air cooling between the first and second aging treatments. Martensite did not form in the as-quenched microstructures, which consisted of a ferrite matrix, M₆C, M₇C₃, and MC carbides. The double-aged microstructures consisted of a ferrite matrix and MC, M₆C, M₇C₃, and M₂₃C₆ carbides. Secondary hardening as a consequence of secondary precipitation of fine M₂C carbides did not occur. There was disagreement between the experimental microstructure and the results of thermodynamic calculations. The highest double-aged hardness of the H23 tool steel was 448 HV after austenization at 1250℃ and double-aging at 650℃, which suggested that this tool steel should be used at temperatures below 650℃.     

Effects of sintering temperature on the microstructural evolution and wear behavior of WCp reinforced Ni-based coatings

This article focuses on the microstructural evolution and wear behavior of 50wt%WC reinforced Ni-based composites prepared onto 304 stainless steel substrates by vacuum sintering at different sintering temperatures. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The wear resistance of the coatings was tested by thrust washer testing. The mechanisms of the decomposition, dissolution, and precipitation of primary carbides, and their influences on the wear resistance have been discussed. The results indicate that the coating sintered at 1175°C is composed of fine WC particles, coarse M₆C (M=Ni, Fe, Co, etc.) carbides, and discrete borides dispersed in solid solution. Upon increasing the sintering temperature to 1225°C, the microstructure reveals few incompletely dissolved WC particles trapped in larger M₆C, Cr-rich lamellar M₂₃C₆, and M₃C₂ in the austenite matrix. M₂₃C₆ and M₃C₂ precipitates are formed in both the γ/M₆C grain boundary and the matrix. These large-sized and lamellar brittle phases tend to weaken the wear resistance of the composite coatings. The wear behavior is controlled simultaneously by both abrasive wear and adhesive wear. Among them, abrasive wear plays a major role in the wear process of the coating sintered at 1175°C, while the effect of adhesive wear is predominant in the coating sintered at 1225°C.     

Precipitation characteristic of high strength steels microalloyed with titanium produced by compact strip production

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and physics-chemical phase analysis were employed to investigate the precipitates in high strength steels microalloyed with Ti produced by compact strip production (CSP). It was seen that precipitates in Ti microalloyed steels mainly included TiN, Ti₄C₂S₂, and TiC. The size of TiN particles varied from 50 to 500 nm, and they could precipitate during or before soaking. The Ti₄C₂S₂ with the size of 40-100 nm might precipitate before rolling, and the TiC particles with the size of 5-50 nm precipitated heterogeneously. High Ti content would lead to the presence of bigger TiC particles that precipitated in austenite, and by contrast, TiC particles that precipitated in ferrite and the transformation of austenite to ferrite was smaller. They were less than 30 nm and mainly responsible for precipitate strengthening. It should be noted that the TiC particles in higher Ti content were generally smaller than those in the steel with a lower Ti content.     

V、Ta微合金化12Cr低活性F/M钢的优化设计

采用Thermo-Calc热力学模拟计算与实验相结合的方法,优化设计了一种V、Ta微合金化的低活性F/M钢12Cr3WVTa,经1 050℃水淬及780℃回火后对其显微组织及析出相进行光学显微镜、扫描电镜和透射电镜观察以及能谱分析.实验钢淬火回火后显微组织由回火马氏体和少量δ铁素体相组成,析出相主要为M23C6和MX相(M=V,Ta;X=C,N),其中M23C6主要分布于回火马氏体板条界和相界,而MX弥散析出于回火马氏体板条内以及δ铁素体内.实验钢室温和高温(600℃)拉伸力学性能良好,600℃下材料抗拉强度为507 MPa,屈服强度为402 MPa,满足超临界水冷堆用包壳管的拉伸性能要求.     

Enhanced fatigue property by fabricating a gradient nanostructured surface layer in a reduced-activation steel

Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels have been selected as candidate structural materials for future advanced nuclear power systems. In the present work, the influence of a gradient nanograined surface layer on the fatigue properties of RAFM steels was studied. A gradient nanostructured (GNS) surface layer with a thickness of ～85 ?μm was prepared on RAFM steel utilizing surface mechanical rolling treatment (SMRT). The mean grain size was approximate 43 ?nm at the topmost surface and increased gradually with depth. The results of the stress-controlled tension-compression fatigue experiments showed that the fatigue life enhanced approximately 6 times in the SMRT samples compared to the corresponding base metal counterparts. The relationship between the applied stress amplitude and the fatigue lifetime, and the fracture morphology showed that the surface strengthening and strain delocalization were caused by GNS, which suppressed surface crack initiation process, and hence the fatigue properties of RAFM steels improved. In addition, the deformation compatibility in GNS and coarse-grained boundaries leading to more dislocation interactions and accumulation during the cyclic process, also plays a crucial role in enhancing the fatigue properties of RAFM steel.     

喷射成形M3型高速钢碳化物组织特征与加热过程演化

采用常规铸造和喷射成形工艺分别制备了M3型高速钢铸坯和沉积坯.利用扫描电子显微镜、X射线能谱和X射线衍射等分析方法对冷却速度对合金的显微组织的影响,加热温度对M3高速钢中M2C共晶碳化物分解行为的影响,以及热加工变形后铸态和沉积态组织的变化进行了研究.结果表明:铸态合金含有粗大的一次枝晶和M2C共晶碳化物,而喷射成形沉积坯主要为等轴晶且碳化物细小均匀;冷却速度的提高极大地抑制了碳化物的析出和晶粒长大;加热温度的提高有利于M2C共晶碳化物分解,过高的温度使得分解后的M6C长大,不利于合金性能的提高;沉积坯经恰当的预热处理和热变形可以获得理想的变形组织.     

DZ40M合金再结晶形核的唯象行为

以DZ40M合金为研究对象,采用金相组织观察和EBSD晶粒取向分析技术,分析了DZ40M合金的再结晶形核位置与形核后的晶粒取向之间的关系.研究表明:DZ40M合金经压痕变形后,在退火过程中发生的再结晶晶粒主要在初生碳化物周围和枝晶间形核;初生碳化物处形核的再结晶晶粒主要位于〈112〉取向上,而枝晶间形核的再结晶晶粒为〈110〉取向.合金中的二次碳化物M23C6在晶界、亚晶界和位错上析出,能够阻碍再结晶核心的形成.当退火温度低于1423 K时,M23C6的析出数量较多,尺寸小且间距小,可以有效地抑制合金的再结晶形核,降低再结晶形核率.     

一种核级316LN钢的相图计算与微合金化设计

用热力学方法计算了一种核级316LN钢及其在Nb、V微合金化条件下的伪二元平衡相图,研究了不同温度下钢的平衡相组成。结果表明,316LN钢中的主要析出相为Cr2N、M23C6、和相,Nb微合金化316LN钢中会形成含C的MX,有望提高材料的力学性能和耐晶间应力腐蚀性能,V微合金化316LN钢中会形成VN,但对稳定C的作用不大。     

钒对高铁制动盘钢中碳化物析出及力学性能的影响

随着列车时速不断提高,制动盘承受的热负荷不断增大,这对制动盘材料提出了更高的要求.为了提高制动盘钢的机械性能及耐热疲劳性,钒元素被添加到制动盘钢中.本文研究了不同淬火温度时V含量对Cr-Mo-V系制动盘钢组织及力学性能的影响,并通过Thermo-Calc热力学软件、碳复型、透射电镜、能谱分析等方法对不同V含量时析出相的演变规律进行研究.结果表明,增加钒含量使高温析出的V(C,N)含量增加,细化奥氏体晶粒和回火马氏体组织.淬-回火态析出相主要为V(C,N)、(Mo,V)C、M7 C3和M23 C6.随钒含量增加,大尺寸M23 C6和M7 C3的析出被抑制,对韧性损害降低;小尺寸(Mo,V)C含量增多,析出强化效果增强.淬火温度为880～900℃时,增加钒含量能细化马氏体和减少大尺寸碳化物,弥补了析出强化对韧性的损害,故冲击功变化不大.淬火温度为920～940℃时,提高钒含量促使(Mo,V)C量急剧增加,冲击功快速下降.实验钢淬火温度不应超过900℃.     

High temperature strength and ductility of the (C+N) strengthening Fe-Cr-Mn(W,V) steels

Fe-Cr-Mn(W, V) austenite steels used as low radioactive structural materials in fusion reactor have been investigated. The resultsshow that the high temperature strength and the creep fracture life of Fe-Cr-Mn(W, V) steels can be effectively improved through (C+N) complex-strengthening, so can be the high temperature ductility. The strength and ductility of the steels are superior to that of SUS316 steels and JPCAS below 673K. The relationship between strength, ductility andthe formation temperature is related to the evolution of deformation microstructure. The fracture and microstructure observation above 673Kindicates that the main way to further improve ductility at high temperature is the control of carbide coarsening at the grain boundaries.     

Mechanical properties and characteristics of nanometer-sized precipitates in hot-rolled low-carbon ferritic steel

The microstructures and properties of hot-rolled low-carbon ferritic steel have been investigated by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tensile tests after isothermal transformation from 600℃ to 700℃ for 60 min. It is found that the strength of the steel decreases with the increment of isothermal temperature, whereas the hole expansion ratio and the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries increase. A large amount of nanometer-sized carbides were homogeneously distributed throughout the material, and fine (Ti, Mo)C precipitates have a significant precipitation strengthening effect on the ferrite phase because of their high density. The nanometer-sized carbides have a lattice parameter of 0.411–0.431 nm. After isothermal transformation at 650℃ for 60 min, the ferrite phase can be strengthened above 300 MPa by precipitation strengthening according to the Ashby-Orowan mechanism.