Recovery and Precipitate Analysis of 9 Pct Cr-1 Pct MoVNb Steel during Creep

The effect of tempering temperature and creep exposure on the microstructure of a modified 9Cr steel was investigated. Creep-interrupted specimens, including the grip portion, were investigated precisely using mainly X-ray and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. After saturation of precipitation due to creep exposure, the amount of extracted residue decreased once and then increased within a short period (dip). Chemical analysis showed that during the dip, the precipitates temporarily dissolved into the matrix and precipitated again. The size of the Cr₂₃C₆ increased gradually during creep, but the growth rate was relatively small, as compared to the Ostwald ripening. The size of the VN particles in the specimens tempered at 800 °C in the early stage of creep was very fine, approximately 20 nm, and tended to decrease further with the progress of creep. The size variations of the precipitates and the dip were explained from the annihilation or migration of precipitation sites, i.e., dislocations and boundaries, during creep. Transient creep for the specimens tempered at 500 °C was controlled by a reduction of the mobile dislocation density. On the other hand, transient creep for 800 °C was due to precipitation hardening of fine VN particles with the progress of creep, which was supported by the increase in both the lattice strain and the activation energy with creep.     

Effects of Cooling Rate on Transformations in a Fe-9 Pct Ni Steel

The transformations of a high-strength 9Ni-Cr-Mo-V steel were characterized as a function of cooling rate by dilatometry, microhardness measurements, and microstructural characterization. The results demonstrate that this steel is extremely insensitive to changes in cooling rate, generating a duplex microstructure of coarse autotempered martensite within a matrix of fine lath martensite at nearly all cooling rates. The coarse autotempered martensite is observed even at very slow cooling rates, although the lath martensite becomes replaced by lath (or bainitic) ferrite.     

Role of Tungsten in the Tempered Martensite Embrittlement of a Modified 9 Pct Cr Steel

The effect of tempering on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of two 3 pct Co-modified 9 pct Cr steels with 2 and 3 wt pct W was examined. Both steels were ductile in tension tests and tough under impact tests in high-temperature tempered conditions. At T ≤ 923 K (650 °C), the addition of 1 wt pct W led to low toughness and pronounced embrittlement. The 9Cr2W steel was tough after low-temperature tempering up to 723 K (450 °C). At 798 K (525 °C), the decomposition of retained austenite induced the formation of discontinuous and continuous films of M₂₃C₆ carbides along boundaries in the 9Cr2W and the 9Cr3W steels, respectively, which led to tempered martensite embrittlement (TME). In the 9Cr2W steel, the discontinuous boundary films played a role of crack initiation sites, and the absorption energy was 24 J cm^?2. In the 9Cr3W steel, continuous films provided a fracture path along the boundaries of prior austenite grains (PAG) and interlath boundaries in addition that caused the drop of impact energy to 6 J cm^?2. Tempering at 1023 K (750 °C) completely eliminated TME by spheroidization and the growth of M₂₃C₆ carbides, and both steels exhibited high values of adsorbed energy of ≥230 J cm^?2. The addition of 1 wt pct W extended the temperature domain of TME up to 923 K (650 °C) through the formation of W segregations at boundaries that hindered the spheroidization of M₂₃C₆ carbides.     

Crossed-Wire Laser Microwelding of Pt-10 Pct Ir to 316 Low-Carbon Vacuum Melted Stainless Steel: Part I. Mechanism of Joint Formation

The excellent biocompatibility and corrosion properties of Pt alloys and 316 low-carbon vacuum melted (LVM) stainless steel (SS) make them attractive for biomedical applications. With the increasing complexity of medical devices and in order to lower costs, the challenge of joining dissimilar materials arises. In this study, laser microwelding (LMW) of crossed Pt-10 pct Ir to 316 LVM SS wires was performed and the weldability of these materials was determined. The joint geometry, joining mechanism, joint breaking force (JBF), and fracture modes were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and microtensile testing. It was shown that the mechanisms of joint formation transitioned from (1) brazing, (2) a combination of brazing and fusion welding, and (3) fusion welding with increasing pulsed laser energy. The joints demonstrated various tensile failure modes including (1) interfacial failure below a peak power of 0.24 kW, (2) partial interfacial failure that propagated into the Pt-Ir wire, (3) failure in the Pt-Ir wire, and (4) failure in the SS wire due to porosity and severe undercutting caused by overwelding. During this study, the optimal laser peak power range was identified to produce joints with good joint geometry and 90 pct of the tensile strength of the Pt-10 pct Ir wire.     

Microstructural Evolution of the Interdiffusion Zone between U-9 Wt Pct Mo Fuel Alloy and Zr-1 Wt Pct Nb Cladding Alloy Upon Annealing

Diffusion couple formed between U-9 wt pct Mo and Zr-1 wt pct Nb alloys, proposed as fuel and clad materials, respectively, in nuclear research reactors, was annealed to investigate the microstructural evolution of the interdiffusion zone (IZ) as a function of temperature. A layered-type IZ microstructure was observed, the mechanism of development of which was elucidated. Mo₂Zr phase, present as dispersoids, in the U-rich part of the as-bonded IZ evolved into a continuous layer and into a “massive” morphology upon annealing. The discontinuous precipitation reaction in the matrix adjoining the Mo₂Zr phase, instigated by Mo depletion, generated lamellae of α-U phase within the γ-U(Mo,Zr) matrix. Zr-rich α-Zr(U) precipitates were observed in U-rich U-Mo-Zr matrix in the IZ next to the U-9Mo base material due to the clustering tendency of the matrix phase. The IZ next to Zr-1Nb base material comprised a “basket weave” microstructure of α-Zr laths with β-Zr(Nb,U) interlath boundaries, wherein an omega like transformation of the latter to δ-UZr₂ was also noticed. The growth rates of the IZ were orders of magnitude lower when compared with the ones reported between the compositionally similar U-10 wt pct Mo alloy and the presently used Al or Al-Si cladding alloys.     

Dilatometric Analysis of Anisotropic Dimensional Changes in a 16 Pct Cr Stainless Steel with a Planar Banded Structure

Anisotropic dimensional changes in a 16 pct Cr ferritic stainless steel possessing a banded structure of α + α′ obtained by hot rolling were studied. Considerable anisotropic transformation plasticity was observed during both the austenitization and the martensite formation reactions. Anisotropy was also observed in the case of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), over a wide annealing temperature range. The observations are shown to be due to the geometrical arrangement of the phases, with ferrite acting as a constraint against the in-rolling-plane straining of the pancaked γ, thus encouraging exaggerated dimensional changes along the normal direction (ND). Assuming isotropic dimensional change within the rolling plane and combining the dilatometric results in the rolling and normal directions (NDs), the measured dilatation and CTE can be used to determine the volume fraction of α′. This alternative phase analysis method is shown to have advantages compared to a conventional image analysis method especially at low annealing temperatures where there are still residues of the tempered martensite.     

In-Situ Synchrotron Diffraction Studies on Transformation Strain Development in a High-Strength Quenched and Tempered Structural Steel—Part II. Martensitic Transformation

In-situ synchrotron diffraction studies on the kinetics of phase transformation and transformation strain development during bainitic transformation were presented in part I of the current article. In the current article, in-situ phase transformation behavior of a high-strength (830 MPa yield stress) quenched and tempered S690QL1 [Fe-0.16C-0.2Si-0.87Mn-0.33Cr-0.21Mo (wt. pct)] structural steel, during continuous cooling and under different mechanical loading conditions to promote martensitic transformation, has been studied. Time–temperature–load resolved 2D synchrotron diffraction patterns were recorded and used to calculate the phase fractions and lattice parameters of the phases during heating and cooling cycles under different loading conditions. In addition to the thermal expansion behavior, the effects of the applied stress on the elastic strains during the martensitic transformation were calculated. The results show that small tensile stresses applied at the transformation temperature do not change the kinetics of the phase transformation. The start temperature for the martensitic transformation increases with the increasing applied tensile stress. The elastic strains are not affected significantly with the increasing tensile stress. The variant selection during martensitic transformation under small applied loads (in the elastic region) is weak.     

Crossed-Wire Laser Microwelding of Pt-10 Pct Ir to 316 LVM Stainless Steel: Part II. Effect of Orientation on Joining Mechanism

With the increasing complexity of medical devices and with efforts to reduce manufacturing costs, challenges arise in joining dissimilar materials. In this study, the laser weldability of dissimilar joints between Pt-10 pct Ir and 316 low-carbon vacuum melted (LVM) stainless steel (SS) crossed wires was investigated by characterizing the weld geometry, joint strength, morphology of weld cross sections, and differences in joining behavior, depending on which material is subject to the incident laser beam. With the Pt-Ir alloy on top, a significant amount of porosity was observed on the surface of the welds as well as throughout the weld cross sections. This unique form of porosity is believed to be a result of preferential vaporization of 316 LVM SS alloying elements that become mixed with the molten Pt-10 pct Ir during welding. The joining mechanism documented in micrographs of cross-sectioned welds was found to transition from laser brazing to fusion welding. It is inferred that the orientation of the two dissimilar metals (i.e., which material is subject to the incident laser beam) plays an important role in weld quality of crossed-wire laser welds.     

Hardfacing of a Modified 9Cr–1Mo Steel Component Using a Nickel-Base Alloy

A dashpot piston made of modified 9Cr–1Mo steel is hardfaced with NiCr-B alloy by the Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) process. During initial trials, a large number of cracks were observed in the hardface deposit when hardfacing was carried out directly on the modified 9Cr–1Mo steel substrate using a preheat temperature of 723 K. Both the deposit and the martensitic structure formed in the heat affected zone of the substrate during deposition are hard and hence were unable to absorb the thermal stresses generated, leading to cracking. Subsequently, hardfacing trials carried out with an intermediate layer of 2 mm thick Inconel-625 alloy, were successful and deposits were crack-free. Use of a relatively soft Inconel-625 between the hardface deposit and the substrate reduced martensite formation in the substrate, and thus the cracking susceptibility of the deposit.     

Evaluation of Microstructural, Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of AISI Type 316LN Stainless Steel and Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel Exposed in a Dynamic Bimetallic Sodium Loop at 798 K (525?°C) for 16,000 Hours

Changes occurring in the chemical composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and carburization behavior of type 316LN stainless steel and modified 9Cr-1Mo steel on exposure to flowing sodium at 798?K (525?°C) for 16,000?hours in a bimetallic loop are discussed in this article. Type 316LN stainless steel revealed a degraded layer of approximately 5???m depth. No significant microstructural changes were observed in the case of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel exposed to sodium. The carburization depth in type 316LN stainless steel was approximately 100???m and the surface carbon concentration was 0.374?wt?pct. In the case of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel, the carbon concentration at the surface was approximately 3.50?wt?pct and the depth of carburization was nearly 75???m. The concentration of nickel and chromium decreased from the bulk to the surface of type 316LN stainless steel, leading to the formation of a ferrite layer. The concentration of these two elements reached the original matrix concentration at around 30???m. Sodium-exposed material indicated an increase in yield strength by 10?pct and reduction in ductility by 34?pct vis-à-vis annealed material. No such changes in strength and ductility were observed in the case of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. A decrease in impact energy was noticed for sodium-exposed type 316LN stainless steel and modified 9Cr-1Mo steel vis-à-vis as-received material.     

How TEM Projection Artifacts Distort Microstructure Measurements: A Case Study in a 9 pct Cr-Mo-V Steel

Morphological data obtained from two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations were compared to assess the effects of TEM projection errors for submicron-size precipitates. The microstructure consisted of M₂₃C₆ carbides in a 9 pct Cr-Mo-V heat resistant steel before and after exposure to creep conditions. Measurements obtained from about 800 carbides demonstrate that particle size and spacing estimates made from 2D observations overestimate the more accurate values obtained from 3D reconstructions. The 3D analysis also revealed the M₂₃C₆ precipitates lengthen anisotropically along lath boundary planes, suggesting that coarsening during the early stage of creep in this alloy system is governed by grain boundary diffusion.     

Mechanical behavior of Al−Li−SiC composites: Part I. Microstructure and tensile deformation

The microstructure and tensile properties of an 8090 Al−Li alloy reinforced with 15 vol pet SiC particles were investigated, together with those of the unreinforced alloy processed following the same route. Two different heat treatments (naturally aged at ambient temperature and artificially aged at elevated temperature to the peak strength) were chosen because they lead to very different behaviors. Special emphasis was given to the analysis of the differences and similarities in the microstructure and in the deformation and failure mechanisms between the composite and the unreinforced alloy. It was found that the dispersion of the SiC particles restrained the formation of elongated grains during extrusion and inhibited the precipitation of Al₃Li at ambient temperature. The deformation processes in the peak-aged materials were controlled by the S′ precipitates, which acted as barriers for dislocation motion and homogenized the slip. Homogeneous slip was also observed in the naturally aged composite, but not in the unreinforced alloy, where plastic deformation was concentrated in slip bands. The most notorious differences between the alloy and the composite were found in the fracture mechanisms. The naturally aged unreinforced alloy failed by transgranular shear, while the failure of the peak-aged alloy was induced by grain-boundary fracture. The fracture of the composite in both tempers was, however, precipitated by the progressive fracture of the SiC reinforcements during deformation, which led to the early failure at the onset of plastic instability.     

In-Situ Synchrotron Diffraction Studies on Transformation Strain Development in a High Strength Quenched and Tempered Structural Steel—Part I. Bainitic Transformation

In-situ phase transformation behavior of a high strength (830 MPa yield stress) quenched and tempered S690QL1 (Fe-0.16C-0.2Si-0.87Mn-0.33Cr-0.21Mo (wt pct)) structural steel during continuous cooling under different mechanical loading conditions has been studied. Time-temperature-load resolved 2D synchrotron diffraction patterns were recorded and used to calculate the phase fractions and lattice parameters of the phases during heating and cooling cycles under different loading conditions. In addition to the thermal expansion behavior, the effects of the applied stress on the elastic strains during the formation of bainite from austenite and the effect of carbon on the lattice parameter of bainitic ferrite were calculated. The results show that small tensile stresses applied at the transformation temperature do not change the kinetics of the phase transformation. The start temperature for the bainitic transformation decreases upon increasing the applied tensile stress. The elastic strains increase with increase in the applied tensile stress.     

Tensile Work Hardening Behavior of Thin-Section Plate and Thick-Section Tubeplate Forging of 9Cr-1Mo Steel in the Framework of One-Internal-Variable Kocks–Mecking Approach

Comparative tensile flow and work hardening behavior of normalized and tempered plate and quenched and tempered tubeplate forgings of 9Cr-1Mo steel have been examined in the framework of one-internal-variable Kocks–Mecking approach at temperatures ranging from 300 K to 873 K (27 °C to 600 °C). Detailed analysis in terms of the variations of instantaneous work hardening rate, θ (θ = dσ/dε _p = dσ _p/dε _p, where σ is the true stress, σ _p is the plastic flow stress component, and ε _p is the true plastic strain) with σ and σ _p indicated two-stage work hardening behavior, and three distinct temperature regimes in the variations of work hardening parameters, θ ? σ and θ ? σ _p, with temperature. The influence of initial microstructures associated with different product forms of the steel is reflected in the systematic variations in work hardening parameters at temperatures ranging from 300 K to 873 K (27 °C to 600 °C). Tubeplate forging exhibited improved work hardening characteristics in terms of higher plastic component of flow stress because of microstructural softening than that of the plate material in the steel.     

Effect of Thermo-mechanical Treatment on High Temperature Tensile Properties and Ductile–Brittle Transition Behavior of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - In the present work, a modified 9Cr-1Mo steel is subjected to normalizing and tempering treatment with or without an intermediate rolling, which was...     

Mechanical Strength and Failure Characteristics of Cast Mg-9 pctAl-1 pctZn Alloys Produced by a Heated-Mold Continuous Casting Process: Tensile Properties

The mechanical properties and failure characteristics of a cast Mg alloy (AZ91: Mg-Al_8.9-Zn_0.6-Mn_0.2) produced by a heated-mold continuous casting process (HMC) are investigated. In a modification of the original HMC process, the cooling of the liquid alloy by direct water spray is carried out in an atmosphere of high-purity argon gas. The HMC-AZ91 alloy exhibits excellent mechanical properties (high strength and high ductility) that are about twice as high as those for the same alloy produced by conventional gravity casting. The increased material strength and ductility of the HMC sample are attributed to nanoscale and microscale microstructural characteristics. The fine grains and tiny spherical eutectic structures (e.g., Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Al₆Mn) distributed randomly in the matrix of the HMC alloy result in resistance to dislocation movement, leading to high tensile strength. Basal slip on (0001) planes in the relatively organized crystal orientation of the HMC alloy, as well as grain boundary sliding through tiny spherical eutectic structures, results in high ductility. Details of the failure mechanism under static loading in the HMC alloy are also discussed using failure models.