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Influence of Alloy Content and Prior Microstructure on Evolution of Secondary Phases in Weldments of 9Cr-Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic Steel

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Abstract

9Cr-Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic steels with 1 and 1.4 wt pct tungsten are materials of choice for the test blanket module in fusion reactors. The steels possess a tempered martensite microstructure with a decoration of inter- and intra-lath carbides, which undergoes extensive modification on application of heat. The change in substructure and precipitation behavior on welding and subsequent thermal exposure has been studied using both experimental and computational techniques. Changes i.e., formation of various phases, their volume fraction, size, and morphology in different regions of the weldment due to prolonged thermal exposure was influenced not only by the time and temperature of exposure but also the prior microstructure. Laves phase of type Fe2W was formed in the high tungsten steel, on aging the weldment at 823 K (550 °C). It formed in the fine-grained heat-affected zone (HAZ) at much shorter durations than in the base metal. The accelerated kinetics has been understood in terms of enhanced precipitation of carbides at lath/grain boundaries during aging and the concomitant depletion of carbon and chromium and enrichment of tungsten in the vicinity of the carbides. Therefore, the fine-grained HAZ in the weldment was identified as a region susceptible for failure during service.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. P.R. Vasudeva Rao, Director, IGCAR, Dr. T. Jayakumar, Director MMG, and Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi, Associate Director PMG for their support and encouragement during the period of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Material Synthesis and Structural Characterisation Division, Physical Metallurgy Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    V. Thomas Paul (Scientific Officer E)

  2. Microscopy and Thermo-physical Properties Division, Physical Metallurgy Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    C. Sudha (Scientific Officer F) & S. Saroja (Head)

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  1. V. Thomas Paul
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  2. C. Sudha
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  3. S. Saroja
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Correspondence to C. Sudha.

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Manuscript submitted November 10, 2014.

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Thomas Paul, V., Sudha, C. & Saroja, S. Influence of Alloy Content and Prior Microstructure on Evolution of Secondary Phases in Weldments of 9Cr-Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic Steel. Metall Mater Trans A 46, 3378–3392 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-015-2954-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-015-2954-9

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