Effects of heat treatment processes on microstructure and properties of 2·25Cr–1Mo–0·25V HSLA steels

Abstract

In the present paper, the effects of the heat treatment processes with two conditioning treatments and four quenching–tempering processes on the mechanical properties of 2·25Cr–1Mo–0·25V high strength low alloyed (HSLA) steel are investigated. The results show that the conditioning treatments have obvious effects on the low temperature impact energy but little effect on the tensile strength. The elevation of the final austenitising temperature increases the strength, whereas it results in the decrease in the low temperature impact energy due to the coarse microstructure. The results of the fracture surfaces analysis further make sure that the fracture surfaces of tensile specimens all exhibit ductile characters with a lot of dimples. However, the fracture surfaces of impact specimens exhibit two typical fracture characters, i.e. the ductile and brittle fracture surface corresponding to the fine and coarse microstructures respectively. In addition, the elongation and reduction in area seem to be insensitive to the heat treatments. Meanwhile, the impact fracture mode is more sensitive to the grain size and not to the low temperature impact energy.     

Mechanistic approach for prediction of creep deformation,damage and rupture life of different Cr–Mo ferritic steels

Abstract

A mechanistic approach based on finite element analysis of continuum damage as proposed by Kachanov has been used to assess and compare creep deformation, damage and rupture behaviour of 2·25Cr–1Mo, 9Cr–1Mo and modified 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steels. Creep tests were carried out on the steels at 873 K over a stress range of 90–230 MPa. Modified 9Cr–1Mo steel was found to have highest creep deformation and rupture strength whereas 2·25Cr–1Mo steel showed the lowest among the three ferritic steels. Creep damage in the steels has been manifested as the microstructural degradation. 2·25Cr–1Mo steel was more prone to creep damage than 9Cr–steels. Finite element estimation of creep deformation and rupture lives were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Impact and tensile properties of ferrite–martensite dual‐phase steels

The effect of martensite morphology on the impact and tensile properties of dual phase steels with a 0.25 volume fraction of martensite (V_m) under different heat treatments was investigated. These treatments are direct quenching (DQ) and step quenching (SQ) that result in different microstructures and mechanical properties. To process dual phase steels, a low carbon manganese steel was used. At first the banding present in the initial steel was eliminated, then the two different heat treatments were applied. To reach a 0.25 volume fraction of martensite a variation of intercritical annealing temperatures was adopted for both treatments that allowed the evolution of different volume fraction of martensite. Phase analysis showed that an intercritical temperature of 725 °C (between A₃, A₁) gives the desired 0.25 V_m of martensite. A comparison of impact, tensile and ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT) indicates that the microstructure of the direct treatment has a better toughness. The DBTT for the DQ and SQ treatment is ?49 and ?6 °C, respectively.     

Evaluation on toughness degradation of Cr–Mo–V steel using miniaturized impact specimen technology

Miniaturized specimen technology is inevitable when the amount of available material for test is limited. In this study, miniaturized Charpy V-notched specimens of 1Cr–1Mo–0.25 V rotor steel with five different aging periods were artificially prepared by an isothermal aging heat treatment at 630°C and tested. For the miniaturized specimens, two different types of specimens with or without side groove were utilized. A correlation between the ductile brittle transition temperature (DBTT) obtained by the miniaturized specimen and that by the standard specimen was investigated. In addition, the relationship between fracture toughness and DBTT by the miniaturized specimen of degraded 1Cr–1Mo–0.25 V rotor steels was proposed.     

Influence of manganese and sulphur on overheating of some low-alloy steels

Abstract

An assessment has been made of the overheating behaviour of three low-alloy steels used in the electric power generating industries. The steels, 1Cr–Mo–V, 2·25Cr–1Mo, and 3·5Ni–Cr–Mo–V have been prepared as high-purity versions with low tramp element contents, sulphur contents of 0·001%, and manganese contents of 0·02 and 0·2%. For comparison, commercial steels produced by good practice and containing 0·006–0·011%S and 0·17–0·21%Mn have also been examined (all compositions in wt-%). The upper shelf energies of the high-purity versions of the steels in the fully heat treated condition indicate that these steels do not overheat after treatment at temperatures up to 1400°C, whereas the commercial versions do overheat and, in some cases, show a severe reduction in their impact energy levels. In some cases, the high-purity steels show an unusually low tendency to austenite grain growth after reheating at temperatures up to 1400°C. The results obtained show that new specifications for low–alloy steels could be developed which would give freedom from overheating during forging and greatly improved upper shelf energies after heat treatment.

MST/362     

Residual stresses in two laser surface melted stainless steels

Abstract

Residual stresses were studied in two laser surface melted stainless steels: one martensitic, Fe–12Cr–0·2C, and the other austenitic, Fe–17Cr–11Ni–2·5Mo (compositions in wt-%). Stresses were measured by X-ray diffractometry over a range of depths, processing conditions, and stress relieving heat treatments. The volume increase associated with the martensitic transformation develops compressive stresses in single tracks of the martensitic steel and modifies the subsurface stresses of the laser surface melted steel. However, interactions between tracks offset the compressive surface stresses at all but the slightest overlaps. Residual stresses in the martensitic steel are minimized by increasing the advance between tracks and are reduced to a lesser extent by increasing the beam diameter and decreasing the traverse velocity. The austenitic steel, undergoing no solid state phase transformation on cooling, develops tensile residual stresses of the order of the yield stress for all the processing conditions evaluated. Suitable stress relieving heat treatments were identified for each steel.

MST/422     

Low temperature mechanical properties of quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel after controlled rolling (CRP steel) have been studied over the temperature range 77–293 K with the aim of developing a CRP steel for low temperature ultrahigh strength applications. The results obtained were compared with those of a conventional quenched and tempered 0·4C–Ni–Cr–Mo steel (CHT steel). The CRP process was found to improve greatly the strength, ductility, and fracture and impact toughness for tempers at and below 473 K, independent of test temperature, but there was some concomitant deterioration in the transverse properties. It is postulated that the fine subcell structure, introduced during the CRP, is mainly responsible for the improved mechanical properties. However, there is an abrupt reduction in fracture energy of fatigue precracked steels for tempers above 473 K, so above this temperature there is little difference in the properties of the CRP and CHT steels. This is attributed to fine carbide precipitation, which promotes shear localisation and dimple fracture. Despite this, it is demonstrated by the present work that the CRP steel is attractive for low temperature ultrahigh strength steel applications.

MST/734     

Recrystallization of molybdenum- and nitrogen- alloyed austenitic stainless steels after hot working

Abstract

Hot compression experiments have been performed to study the influence of molybdenum and nitrogen on the kinetics of static recrystallization in four austenitic stainless steels: AISI 316L (17Cr–13Ni–2·5Mo), AISI 316LN (17Cr–13Ni–2·5Mo–0·17N), DIN Wnr.l·4439(18Cr–12Ni–4·4Mo–0·2N), and UHB 904L(20Cr–25Ni–4·5Mo–1·5Cu). Experiments were carried out both for wrought and cast materials at temperatures of 1050–1250°C and to strains between ε = 0·10 and ε = 0·40. It was found that the static recrystallization was delayed by a factor of about 1·7 in time when raising the molybdenum content from 2·5 to 4·5 wt-%. Nitrogen was found to have no significant effect on the rate of static recrystallization. Cast material recrystallized more slowly than wrought material and this could not be attributed only to a grain size effect. Increasing strain and temperature resulted in a reduced recrystallization time. The recrystallized grain size decreased with increasing strain and decreasing temperature. Empirical expressions could reproduce with excellent accuracy the strain and temperature dependence of both the fraction recrystallized and the recrystallized grain size.

MST/360     

Susceptibility to hydrogen attack of a thick-section 3Cr–1 Mo–1 Ni pressure-vessel steel-role of cooling rate

Abstract

A study has been made of the susceptibility to hydrogen attack of a newly developed 3Cr–1 Mo–1Ni pressure-vessel steel, intended for use in coal-conversion vessels, following long-term exposure to high-pressure (14-17 MPa) gaseous hydrogen at 550 and 600°C; the results are compared to the behaviour of 2·25Cr–1Mo steel. To simulate the condition of both surface and mid-section locations of thick-section (400 mm) plate during commercial normalizing, oil quenched and slowly cooled (8 K min^?1) structures were examined after tempering at 650 and 700°C, with respect to their strength, ductility, and impact toughness properties. Compared to unexposed samples, structures exposed to hydrogen were observed to show some softening (up to 20% reduction in yield stress) and ‘embrittlement’ (up to 22% reduction in upper-shelf Charpy energies and increases in the transition temperatures by 65–100 K), although there were no visible signs of major microstructural damage. Moreover, the behaviour of the oil-quenched and slow-cooled structures was largely similar. In comparison to 2·25Cr–1 Mo steel, which can become highly susceptible to hydrogen damage in the very slowly cooled state, the present 3Cr–1Mo–1Ni steel was found to have far superior resistance to hydrogen attack. This was attributed primarily to two factors: namely, the increased hardenability, which resulted from the absence of pro-eutectoid ferrite in as-cooled microstructures, and the accelerated kinetics in the carbide precipitation sequence, which resulted in the more rapid replacement of M₃C by more stable, higher-alloyed carbides, such as M₂₃C₆.

MST/95     

Development of transition metal joint for steam generator circuit of prototype fast breeder reactor

Abstract

A transition metal joint between type 304 stainless steel and 2·25Cr–1Mo steel, with Alloy 800 as the transition piece, is being developed for application in the steam generator circuit of the 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor. As part of this programme, the hot cracking susceptibility of Inconel 82/182 and of 16–8–2 welding consumables were compared and the microstructure and mechanical properties of butt welds between type 304 stainless steel and Alloy 800, welded by the two consumables, were studied to select the appropriate welding consumables for this joint. It is recommended that the 16–8–2 consumable should be used for welding this joint because of its lower microfissuring tendency and reduced mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion across the joint, although this would mean a slight adverse effect on the elevated temperature mechanical properties. Further, to select the optimum post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of the joint between Alloy 800 and 2·25Cr–1Mo steel, welded with Inconel 82/182 welding consumables, the effect of PWHT on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. Decreasing the PWHT temperature was found to improve the mechanical properties and the microstructural condition of this joint.

MST/842     

Influence of molybdenum on austempering behaviour of ductile iron Part 1 – Austempering kinetics and mechanical properties of ductile iron containing 0·13%Mo

Abstract

Measurements of the austempering kinetics and mechanical properties are presented for a ductile iron of composition Fe–3·51C– 2·81Si–0·25Mn–0·39Cu–0·13Mo–0·04Mg (wt-%) for austempering temperatures of 285, 320, 375, and 400°C after austenitising at 870°C for 120 min. The kinetic studies show that the alloying level is insufficient to cause a significant delay in ausferrite formation in the intercellular boundaries. This implies that the heat treatment processing window is open for all austempering conditions studied. The mechanical property measurements show that with the correct selection of austempering temperature all the grades of the ASTM Standard 897M : 1990 and BS EN 1564 : 1997 can be satisfied. The hardenability of the present iron is limited and it is therefore unlikely that these standards will be achieved in thicker section components.     

Austempering of an Mn–Mo–Cu alloyed ductile iron Part 2 – Structure–mechanical property relationships

Abstract

Ultimate tensile strength, 0·2% proof strength, elongation, and impact energy measurements are reported for an alloyed ductile iron of composition (wt-%) Fe–3·49C–2·33Si–0·42Mn–0·25Cu–0·23Mo–0·035Mg for austempering temperatures of 400, 375, and 350°C and a range of austempering times after austenitising at 920°C for 120 min. The ADI ASTM A897M:1990 standard is satisfied for an austempering temperature of 350°C but not at 375 or 400°C. This behaviour is discussed in terms of the influence of the unreacted austenite volume from the stage I austenitising reaction and the carbide product of the stage II austenitising reaction on the ductility. The present findings are predicted by the processing windows determined from the austempering kinetics.

MST/3393     

Effect of postweld heat treatment on development of interfacial structures in nickel-based transition joints

Abstract

The interfacial structures between 2·25Cr–1Mo steel and Inconel 182 weld metal have been studied after post-weld heat treatments (PWHTs) at 700°C and subsequent aging at 630°C. This aging temperature accelerates the changes in interfacial structure that occur during power-station operation, and thus provides a method of studying the effects of the initial PWHT. The paper shows that during PWHT for ≤8 h at 700°C, arrays of carbide particles develop in the ferritic steel, parallel and very close to the weld metal interface, and that these arrays continue to grow during aging at 630°C for 6000 h. However, the precipitate sizes after PWHT are small compared with those developed during the subsequent aging. For longer heat treatments, up to 100 h at 700°C, the I interfacial precipitates develop to significant sizes, but growth then ceases because of the limited carbon migration from the 2·25Cr–1Mo steel. Aging at 630°C then causes carbon redistribution in the heat-affected zone, resulting in an incubation period before further interfacial precipitate growth can occur. The net result is that after aging for ≥500 h at 630°C, PWHTs of 2–100 h at 700°C have negligible effects on the interfacial-precipitate sizes and distributions, compared with those found in similarly aged as-welded specimens.

MST/119     

Effect of heat treatment on creep and fracture behaviour of 1·25Cr–O·5Mo steel

Abstract

The effect of tempering treatments on the microstructure and creep behaviour of multipass 1·25Cr–0·5Mo steel weldments has been evaluated. While tempering invariably reduced the hardness, significant changes in microstructure were only found after heat treatment at 750°C. In this case ferrite bands developed adjacent to the fusion boundary. Tempering increased creep deformation and reduced failure lifetime for base metal specimens. For crossweld testpieces, the susceptibility to low ductility failures in the heat affected zone was found to be linked to the development of creep cavities and cracks. Thus, brittle failure modes were a function of stress, temperature, microstructure, post weld heat treatment, and to a lesser extent, specimen geometry.

MST/3069     

Assessment of creep rupture properties for dissimilar steels welded joints between T92 and HR3C

Dissimilar steels welded joints, between ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel, are always encountered in high‐temperature components in power plants. As two new grade ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel, T92 (9Cr0.5Mo2WVNb) and HR3C (TP310HCbN), exhibit superior heat strength at elevated temperatures and are increasingly applied in ultra‐supercritical (USC) plants around the world, a complete assessment of the properties for T92/HR3C dissimilar steels welded joints is urgently required. In this paper, metallographic microstructures across the joint were inspected by optical microscope. Particularly, the creep rupture test was conducted on joints under different load stresses at 625 °C to analyse creep strength and predict their service lives, while their fractograph were observed under scanning electron microscope. Additionally, finite element method was employed to investigate residual stress distribution of joints. Results showed that the joints were qualified under USC conditions, and T92 base material was commonly the weakest part of them.     

Comparison of creep behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo/9Cr–1Mo dissimilar weld joint with its base and weld metals

Abstract

Evaluation of the creep behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo and 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel base metals, 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal, and 2.25Cr–1Mo/9Cr–1Mo ferritic–ferritic dissimilar weld joints has been carried out at 823 K in the stress range 100–260 MPa. The weld joint was fabricated by shielded metal arc welding using basic coated 9Cr–1Mo electrodes. Investigations of the microstructure and hardness variations across the joint in the as welded, post-weld heat treated (973 K/1 h), and creep tested conditions were performed. The heat affected zone (HAZ) in both the steels consisted of a coarse prior austenitic grain region, a fine prior austenitic grain region, and an intercritical structure. In the post-weld heat treated condition, a white etched soft decarburised zone in 2.25Cr–1Mo steel base metal and a black etched hard carburised zone in 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal around the weld fusion line developed. Hardness troughs also developed in the intercritical HAZ regions of both the steels. The width of the carburised and decarburised zones and hardness differences of these zones were found to increase with creep exposure. The 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal showed higher creep strength compared to both the base metals. The 9Cr–1Mo steel base metal exhibited better creep resistance than the 2.25Cr–1Mo steel base metal at lower applied stresses. The dissimilar joint revealed lower creep rupture strength than both the base metals and weld metal. The creep strain was found to concentrate in the decarburised zone of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel and in the intercritical HAZ regions of both the steels. Creep failure in the stress range examined occurred in the intercritical HAZ of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel even though this region showed higher hardness than the decarburised zone. Extensive creep cavitation and cracks were observed in the decarburised zone.     

Decarburization in 0·5Cr–0·5Mo–0·25V steel and its effects on creep and microstructure

Abstract

Many high–temperature creep tests are performed on low–chromium, ferritic steels in an uncontrolled atmosphere. Examination of creep rupture specimens of 0·5Cr–0·5Mo–0·25V steel tested in air has shown that decarburization accompanies oxidation and is an important factor in accelerating the failure of creep tests in air. Similarly, pre-aging in air reduces the creep life more than pre-aging in a capsule. There is also evidence that decarburization is accelerated during straining. Measurements of surface carbon contents in 10 mm thick blocks heat treated in air at 600–700°C have given an apparent activation energy for decarburization of about 250 kJ mol^?1, at least twice that for carbon diffusing in ferrite. However, this value is still below that for creep, so the influence of decarburization on creep life is expected to increase at lower temperatures. Structural observations are discussed in relation to loss of carbon and are related to creep behaviour. Secondary precipitation was observed after low-temperature treatments in aged encapsulated specimens, but not in specimens aged in air. This is attributed to the loss of carbon in the air aged specimens, which also showed a decrease in the M₃C content. The iron content of M₃C particles depends on carbon content as well as aging time.

MST/40     

Effects of inter-critical temperatures on martensite morphology,volume fraction and mechanical properties of dual-phase steels obtained from direct and continuous annealing cycles

Homogenizing and normalizing heat treatments were performed on low carbon–manganese steel. Then, direct and continuous annealing heat treatments were carried out at 800 °C, 770 °C, 750 °C and 725 °C. Finally; dual phase ferrite–martensite steel was obtained. Thereafter, hardness and tensile tests were applied at ambient temperature, and impact tests for the initial sample and the dual-phase steels obtained from continuous and direct annealing heat treatment in the temperature ranges of (−67 to +70), (−70 to +60), (−70 to +29), respectively, were accomplished. The ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT) and the fracture modes of the samples were obtained, and the fracture surface of the steel was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the best mechanical properties in dual-phase steels, like impact toughness and flexibility, appear at the inter-critical temperature of 725 °C for both continuous and direct annealing cycles. The (DBTT) for the specimens obtained from direct and continuous annealing and the initial sample were −49 °C, −6 °C, and −34 °C, respectively. The dual-phase specimen achieved through the direct annealing method had better toughness and impact properties than the initial specimen or the one obtained through continuous annealing.     

Influence of molybdenum on austempering behaviour of ductile iron Part 4 – Austempering behaviour of ductile iron containing 0·45%Mo

Abstract

Austempering kinetic measurements and mechanical property measurements are presented for a ductile iron of composition Fe–3·56C–2·77Si–0·25Mn–0·45Mo–0·43Cu–0·04Mg (wt-%) after austenitising at 870°C and austempering at 400, 375, 320, and 285°C. The austempering kinetic measurements show that increasing the Mo content of the iron, for example, to increase hardenability, does not delay the austempering reaction significantly and the processing window is open for all the austempering temperatures studied. The mechanical properties determined for austempering temperatures of 400 and 375°C show that the higher ductility grades of the austempered ductile iron standards can be satisfied as predicted by the open processing windows. The ductility of the 0·45%Mo austempered iron is reduced compared with that measured in 0·13%Mo and 0·25%Mo irons austempered under the same conditions. This is attributed to an increased amount and continuity of intercellular carbide as the Mo content increases.     

Effect of microstructural evolution in bainite,martensite, and δ ferrite on toughness of Cr–2W steels

Abstract

To investigate the effect of microstructural evolution during heat treatment in newly developed Cr–2W ferritic steels containing from 2 to 15%Cr, Charpy impact testing was carried out after quenching, tempering, and subsequent prolonged aging at 873 K for 3600 ks (1000 h). The ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT) and the upper shelf energy were determined as functions of heat treatment and Cr concentration. The fracture sequence was examined on fractographs obtained using scanning electron microscopy. The steels consisted of bainite, martensite, and δ ferrite phases and carbide precipitates, depending on the Cr concentration. The DBTT decreased considerably after tempering compared with after quenching, but increased again somewhat after subsequent prolonged aging. The upper shelf energy exhibited converse behaviour. Concerning the effect of alloy phases, the DBTT was increased significantly by the formation of δ ferrite and was slightly higher for the martensite than for the bainite. The effects of the alloy phases and heat treatments on the DBTT are discussed by considering the microstructural evolution, such as dislocation recovery and carbide precipitation, during heat treatment.

MST/1573