Effects of High Temperature Aging Treatment on the Microstructure and Impact Toughness of Z2CND18-12N Austenitic Stainless Steel

Hui Zhang, Yanfeng Liu, Xian Zhai, Wenkai Xiao
2020 Metals  
During the casting cooling process or the forging process, austenitic stainless steel will remain at around 800 °C for some time. During this period, precipitate particle behaviors in austenitic stainless steel (containing ferrite) will cause a reduction in ductility, which can lead to material cracking. In this study, the effects of aging at 800 °C on the microstructure, impact toughness and microhardness of Z2CND18-12N austenitic stainless steel were systematically investigated. The
more » ... ion processes of the χ and σ phases were characterized by color metallography and back scattered electron (BSE) signals. The toughness was investigated by the Charpy impact test. After the aging treatment, the χ and σ phases precipitated successively in the ferrite, and as the aging duration increased, the χ-phase dissolved and the σ-phase precipitated along the austenite grain boundaries. These all lead to a decrease in toughness and an increase in microhardness. Finally, the relationship between fracture morphology and aging time is discussed herein, and a crack mechanism is given.
doi:10.3390/met10121691 fatcat:2u65o4vddnb5xhf22hmfaxh6xu