Phase transformation and impact properties of type 17-8-2 austenitic weld metals

The influence of stress relieving and ageing treatments in the range 600 to 900° C on the phase transformations and change in room temperature impact properties has been studied for two manual metal arc 17-8-2 weld metals. The transformation of the-ferrite in the range 600 to 800° C was found to conform to a classical Johnson-Mehl equation; the initial precipitates were M₂₃C₆ carbides followed by the intermetallic-phase. At higher temperatures a slower transformation rate was found suggesting a C curve type of behaviour and the dominant intermetallic phase changed to. Room temperature impact toughness values were found to change with ageing time. Below 800° C there was a consistent fall in these values which became very marked when the-phase developed at the/-boundaries, Above 800° C, spherodization of the carbides and intermetallic phases delayed the fall in the impact values, and led to significant increases in the early stages of ageing. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the change from ductile to brittle fracture mode was normally associated with the development of the and phases, but at 600° C the fall in impact properties could be atrributed to carbide development.