Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Precipitation in Nb-Stabilized Ferritic Stainless Steel Investigated with in-situ and ex-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

  • Published:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A Nb-stabilized Fe-15Cr-0.45Nb-0.010C-0.015N ferritic stainless steel is studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the morphology and kinetics of precipitation. \(\hbox{Nb}_{x}\hbox{(C,N)}_y\) and MnS precipitates are present in the steel in the initial condition. Ex-situ TEM analysis is performed on samples heat treated at 973 K, 1073 K, 1173 K, and 1273 K (700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C). Within this temperature range, both \(\hbox{Fe}_2\hbox{Nb}\) and \(\hbox{Fe}_{3}\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{X}_{x}\) (with X = C or N) precipitates form. \(\hbox{Fe}_2\)Nb is observed at 1073 K (800 °C). \(\;\hbox{Fe}_{3}\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{X}_{x}\) precipitates form at the grain boundaries between 973 K and 1273 K (700 °C and 1000 °C). Up to at least 1173 K (900 °C) their fraction increases with time and temperature, but at 1273 K (1000 °C) they lose stability with respect to \(\hbox{Nb}_{x}\hbox{(C,N)}_{y}.\) With in-situ TEM, no phase transition is observed between room temperature and 1243 K (970 °C). At 1243 K (970 °C) the precipitation of \(\hbox{Fe}_{3}\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{X}_{x}\) is observed in the neighborhood of a dissolving \(\hbox{Nb}_2\)(C,N) precipitate. For sections of grain boundaries where no \(\hbox{Nb}_x\hbox{(C,N)}_y\) precipitates are present, \(\hbox{Fe}_3\hbox{Nb}_3\hbox{X}_{x}\) does not form. It is concluded that the precipitation of \(\hbox{Fe}_{3}\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{X}_x\) is directly related to the dissolution of \(\hbox{Nb}_2\)(C,N) through the redistribution of C or N.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. PHILIPS is a trademark of FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR.

  2. JEOL is a trademark of Japan Electron Optics Ltd, Tokyo.

References

  1. Fujita N., Ohmura K., Kikuchi M., Suzuki T., Funaki S., Hiroshige I (1996) Scripta Metall. Mater., 35(6): 705-70

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Miyazaki A., Takao K., Furukimi O (2002). ISIJ Int., 42(8): 916-20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Fujita N., Ohmura K., Yamamoto A. (2003). Mater. Sci. Eng., A351: 272-81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chassagne F., Mithieux J.D., Schmitt J.H. (2006). Steel Res. Int., 77(9-10): 680-85

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sim G.M., Ahn J.C., Hong S.C., Lee K.J., Lee K.S. (2005). Mater. Sci. Eng., A396: 159-65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Fujita N., Kikuchi M., Ohmura K. (2009). ISIJ Int., 43(12): 1999-2006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Holleck H., Thümmler F. (1967). Mon. Chem., 98: 133-34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lü F.X., Jack K.H. (1985). J. Less Common Met., 114(1): 123-27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Moelans N., Blanpain B., Wollants P. (2006). Acta Mater., 54(4): 1175-84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

One of the authors (AM) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Vlaanderen). The authors thank the European Commission for the financial support through the Enabling Science and Technology through European Electron Microscopy (ESTEEM) project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Katholicke Universiteit Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium

    A. Malfliet (PhD), B. Blanpain (Professor) & P. Wollants (Professor)

  2. CEMES, Centre d’Elaboration des Matériaux et d’Etude Structurale, 31055, Toulouse, Cedex 4, France

    F. Mompiou (PhD)

  3. APERAM Isbergues Research Centre (formerly ArcelorMittal Isbergues Research Centre), 62330, Isbergues, France

    F. Chassagne (Senior Metallurgist) & J.-D. Mithieux (Research Engineer in Metallurgy)

Authors
  1. A. Malfliet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Mompiou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Chassagne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J.-D. Mithieux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. Blanpain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Wollants
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Malfliet.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted November 16, 2010.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malfliet, A., Mompiou, F., Chassagne, F. et al. Precipitation in Nb-Stabilized Ferritic Stainless Steel Investigated with in-situ and ex-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy. Metall Mater Trans A 42, 3333–3343 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-011-0745-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-011-0745-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation