Sigma phase precipitation and properties of super-duplex stainless steel UNS S32750 aged at the nose temperature

Abstract

The nose temperature for σ-phase precipitation in super-duplex stainless steel (SDSS) UNS S32750 was evaluated by hardness method. Color-optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy spectrum analysis, impact and corrosion testing were carried out to investigate characteristics of microstructure and properties of the SDSS aged at the nose temperature. The experimental results indicate that the nose temperature of precipitation is 920 °C and aging at this temperature tiny σ phases can precipitate at phase interfaces or ferrite grain boundaries within 2 min. Prolonging aging duration the amount of σ-phase increases and a dual structure with σ and γ is obtained when aging for 120 min. The precipitation of σ-phase leads to severe deterioration in impact toughness (longitudinal/transverse direction) and corrosion resistance of SDSS.

Keywords

super-duplex stainless steel / aging / σ-phase / impact toughness / corrosion resistance

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