Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2014

Journal or Book Title

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A

Volume

45

Issue

5

First Page

2405

Last Page

2411

DOI

10.1007/s11661-013-2179-8

Abstract

Superaustenitic stainless steels (SSS) are widely used in extreme environments such as off-shore oil wells, chemical and food processing equipment, and seawater systems due to their excellent corrosion resistance and superior toughness. The design of the corresponding heat treatment process is crucial to create better mechanical properties. In this respect, the short-term annealing behavior of CN3MN grade SSS was investigated by a combined study of Charpy impact tests, hardness measurements, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Specimens were heat treated at 1200 K (927 °C) for up to 16 minutes annealing time and their impact strengths and hardnesses were tested. The impact toughness was found to decrease to less than the half of the initial values while hardness stayed the same. Detailed fracture surface analyses revealed a ductile to brittle failure transition for relatively short annealing times. Brittle fracture occurred in both intergranular and transgranular modes. SEM and TEM indicated precipitation of nano-sized intermetallics, accounting for the intergranular embrittlement, along the grain boundaries with respect to annealing time. The transgranular fracture originated from linear defects seen to exist within the grains. Close observation of such defects revealed stacking-fault type imperfections, which lead to step-like cracking observed in microlength scales.

Comments

This article is from Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 45 (2014): 2405-2411, doi: 10.1007/s11661-013-2179-8. Posted with permission.

Rights

Copyright 2014 ASM International. This paper was published in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Vol. 45, Issue 5, pp. 2405-2411 and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.

Copyright Owner

ASM International and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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