Journal article
On the nucleation and dissolution process of Z-phase Cr(V,Nb)N in martensitic 12%Cr steels
Precipitation of large Z-phase particles, Cr(V,Nb)N, replacing fine MX nitrides, (V,Nb)N, has recently been identified as a major cause of premature breakdown in long-term creep strength of a number of new 9–12%Cr martensitic steels. The Z-phase precipitates slowly during long-term exposure at around 650 ◦C accelerated by high Cr content in the steels.
It appears that the nucleation process controls the precipitation rate of Z-phase. A 12%Cr steel, which had precipitated Z-phase during long-term operation at 660 ◦C/12,000 h, was further heat treated in order to investigate the dissolution and reappearance processes for the Z-phase. In both cases it appears that Z-phase and MXphase are in physical contact and have a preferred crystallographic orientation relationship.
The proposed nucleation mechanism is a chromium diffusion controlled transformation of MX into Z-phase, which explains the rather low precipitation rate of Z-phase.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2009 |
Pages: | 169-177 |
ISSN: | 18734936 and 09215093 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.msea.2008.11.019 |
ORCIDs: | Danielsen, Hilmar Kjartansson and Hald, John |