Microstructural changes in cast martensitic steel after creep at 620°C

Abstract

Microstructural changes in the cast steel GX12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 (Fe–0.11 C–0.31 Si–0.89 Mn–9.57 Cr–0.66 Ni–1.01 Mo–1.00 W–0.21 V–0.06 Nb–0.05 Cu–0.05 N in wt %) have been investigated after tests for long-term strength at a temperature of 620°C in the range of stresses of 120–160 MPa. Upon short-term creep (up to 5000 h), the tempered troostite structure and distribution of particles of proeutectoid constituents change insignificantly, except for the precipitation of particles of the Laves phase ∼100 nm in size along boundaries of laths, blocks, packets, and initial austenite grains. Upon long-term creep (to 10000 h), the tempered troostite partially transforms into the subgrain structure, which is accompanied by a decrease in the dislocation density from 6.4 × 10¹⁴ to 3.1 × 10¹³ m^–2 and connected with growth of sizes of M₂₃C₆ carbides of 105–150 nm and particles of the Laves phase to 380 nm, due to the dissolution of these particles located along path boundaries. Upon long-term creep, the average size of V(C,N) particles increases from 45 to 64 nm (while Nb(C,N) particles increase from 48 to 87 nm), and the Nb content in V-enriched carbonitrides and the V content in Nb-enriched M(C,N) particles substantially decrease. No formation of the Z phase has been revealed. The combination of M(C,N) nanoparticles with the presence of W in the solid solution has been found to be responsible for the enhanced high-temperature strength of the steel.