Papers by Keyword: 9Cr Steel

Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis of microstructure and substructure of 9CrNB steel, after normalization at temperature of 1070 °C and tempering at 790 °C / 240 min. The tube was second time tempered at the following temperatures and holding times: 760 °C / 30 min (A1), 760 °C / 120 min (C1), 800 °C / 30 min (G1) and 800 °C / 120 min (I1). Microstructure after tempering consists of tempered martensite and bainite with lath morphology, while inhomogeneous redistribution of precipitates is visible. Substructure analysis of state A1 and I1 show, that a relatively large number of irregular, rod-shaped and oval carbide particles, often arranged in clusters, were precipitated at the primary original austenite grain boundaries. In case of state A1, the average size of these carbide particles is 300 nm and in case of state I1 the average size is 350 nm. A relatively large number of rod-shaped and oval shaped particles were found at the interface of the tempered martensite and bainite mainly in the form of clusters and also inside the tempered bainite with higher particle distribution. In the case of the state A1, they reached an average size of 150 nm. In some regions of substructure of the state I1, the fine carbide particles with an average size of 200 nm and coarse carbide particles with an average size of 400 nm were presented within the areas of tempered bainite. Particles were identified by EDX analysis and by selection electron diffraction. The mechanical properties after tempering were evaluated and compared with properties of P91 and P92 steel.

Abstract: The creep rupture behaviour,hardness distribution and microstructure of weldment made by submerge arc welding for W strengthened P92 steel are described in this paper. The cross-weld creep tests were carried out at 923K under stresses in the ranges 130-100MPa. For stress below 120MPa, weld-joints were ruptured by the Type crack, which located in their fine-grained heat affected zone(FGHAZ)with the smallest measured cross-weld hardness. A strong drop in creep rupture strength of weldment was induced by brittle type failure. In addition to coarsening of M23C6 carbides and an equiaxed fine grains in FGHAZ, intermetallic Fe2(Mo,W)Laves phase precipitated on grain boundaries during creep is probably the significant factor caused the type failure.

Abstract: The effect of fine precipitates, excess dislocations and sub-boundary hardening on creep strain behavior in the transient region has been investigated for tempered martensitic 9%Cr steel at 600 and 650oC. The fine precipitates that form during tempering or during creep decrease the creep rate in the transient region, while excess dislocations produced by cold rolling promote the recovery of dislocations during creep, resulting in higher creep rates. The sub-boundary hardening is enhanced by fine precipitates along lath and block boundaries, which retards the onset of acceleration creep. The movement and annihilation process of dislocations in the transient region is controlled by not only the movement of dislocations in the matrix but also the absorption of dislocations at boundaries. The minimum creep rate is basically determined by the time to minimum creep rate.

Abstract: The precipitation site, main metallic composition and number density of Z phase have been investigated in T91 in order to clarify the influence of Z phase formation on recovery of martensitic structure and creep strength degradation. The Z phase particles were mainly present around prior austenite grain boundaries and/or packet boundaries in the steels crept at 550oC and 600oC. The Z phase particles were found in specimens crept at 550oC to 650oC. There was no indication of Z phase formation up to about 62475.0 h at 500oC and 14106.5 h at 700oC. The Nb content of Z phase observed at 550oC was lower than that at 600oC. The number density of Z phase measured at 550oC was lower that that at 600oC, indicating that the preferential recovery of martensitic lath structure around prior austenite grain boundary is not remarkable at 550oC in contrast with 600oC.

Abstract: The effect of boron on microstructure and creep deformation behavior has been investigated for a tempered martensitic 9Cr-3WVNb steel with emphasis on the role of boron free from boron nitrides. Creep tests were carried out at 650oC for up to about 3 x 104 h, using specimens of 10 mm in gauge diameter and 50 mm in gauge length. The addition of boron in combination with no nitrogen addition effectively reduces the coarsening rate of M23C6 carbides by an enrichment of boron in M23C6 particles in the vicinity of prior austenite grain boundaries during creep at 650oC. This stabilizes martensitic microstructure during creep and retards the onset of acceleration creep, resulting in a decrease in minimum creep rate and an increase in creep life. Excess addition of boron and nitrogen causes the formation of boron nitrides during normalizing at 1050-1150oC, which reduces dissolved boron and nitrogen. The dissolved boron enriches in M23C6 carbides, while the dissolved nitrogen causes the precipitation of fine MX carbonitrides. The variation of creep rates in transient region and of the onset time of acceleration creep with various combinations of boron and nitrogen contents can be explained by the dissolved boron and nitrogen concentrations after normalizing into account.

Abstract: The precipitation behavior of MX carbonitride during a normalizing heat treatment with and without ausageing was investigated in a modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. The normalizing heat treatment was performed at 1150 oC for 1800 s. Ausageing was conducted at 765 and 500 oC for 1800 to 86400 s during the cooling from the heat treatment. The matrix of the steel was austenite single phase during normalizing and ausageing, except for that ausaged at 765 oC for 86400 s. The initial austenite grain size and hardness were not influenced by ausageing, except for the sample ausaged at 765 oC for 86400 s. Although Nb-rich MX (NbX) and cementite were observed, V-rich MX (VX) was not observed under any of the conditions investigated. The amount of NbX in the steel ausaged at 500 oC was at least twice as large as that under the other conditions, and the amount in the steel ausaged at 760 oC was slightly larger than that in the steel that did not undergo ausageing. The precipitation of NbX took place during ausageing in the austenite matrix. On the other hand, it is well known that VX precipitates during tempering. An equilibrium mole fraction of VX in the austenite matrix calculated by Thermo-Calc. was larger than that of NbX at the ausageing temperatures. It is proposed that VX is an equilibrium phase at the ausageing temperature; however, VX nucleation takes much longer in the austenite matrix. It is postulated that the precipitation of VX is more strongly influenced by the interfacial energy rather than supersaturation. It is concluded that the precipitation of MX carbonitride, especially NbX, can be controlled by ausageing during cooling after a normalizing heat treatment.