Microstructural evolution in a duplex cast steel after quench ageing process

摘要

Purpose: The effectiveness and usefulness of the quench ageing on the service properties of massive duplex cast steel was presented in this work. The mechanism of precipitation of a ε-Cu phase and its effect on the mechanical properties of the cast steel were investigated. Design/methodology/approach: The microscopic analysis of the cast steel was performed on a Zeiss Axiovert 25 optical microscope. The substructure of ferrite was examined on a JOEL JEM 3010 high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The analysis of chemical composition of selected micro-regions was carried out using a JEOL JSM 5400 scanning microscope equipped with an EDS microanalyzer. The verification of the metallographic examination results was done using the Thermo-Calc program. Findings: The formation of the ε-Cu phase during quench ageing causes an increase in hardness and drop in impact resistance. The ageing parameters have a substantial influence on the ferrite substructure and the degree of coherence, dispersion and amount of the ε-Cu phase. The ageing treatment at 480°C causes the precipitation of the ε-Cu phase coherent with the matrix. This temperature of quench ageing produce also the formation of a α’-Cr phase and an α-Fe phase. Practical implications: Duplex cast steels are becoming an irreplaceable material in the elements of equipment exposed to the simultaneous action of corrosive and erosive environment. In the case of massive elements like pumps and pipeline elements, the effect of quench ageing is much lower which is associated with the presence of a large amount of the incoherent ε-Cu phase in the cast steel after the solution heat treatment. Originality/value: The lower temperature of quench ageing duplex cast steels with copper addition should not be lower than 500°C because of the temperature of an undesirable spinodal decomposition of the ferrite in 480°C which is partially responsible for the slight increase in hardness and a drastic drop in plastic properties.