Influences of partial substitution of C by N on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 9Cr18Mo martensitic stainless steel

Large eutectic carbides presenting in the matrix deteriorate the mechanical properties of high carbon martensitic stainless steel. In the present work, nitrogen-alloyed martensitic stainless steel with different C/N ratios were designed by partial substitution of C by N of 9Cr18Mo, and their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that, with increasing the content of N up to 0.15 wt% in the experimental steel, the quantity and the size of eutectic carbides decrease; and the net-work eutectic carbides are gradually eliminated. The microstructure of all the steels is composed of lath martensite, twin martensite and M23C6 carbides. With partial substitution of C by N, the morphology of martensite blocks evolves from a lath shape to a blocky one, the quantity of twin martensite increases, and the nano-scaled Cr2N nitrides precipitate in the martensite matrix. The steel containing 0.15 wt% N exhibits the hardness of 60.5 HRC, a fracture strength of 1900 MPa and an elongation rate of 1.6 % due to hot rolling and heat treatment, which is attributed to the refinement of carbides and grains, solid solution of C and N, as well as the dense dislocation.