Isothermal Phase Transformation Sequence in Fe-22wt%Cr-3.2wt%Mo-6.2wt%Ni-0.037wt%C Cast Duplex Stainless Steel

Isothermal phase transformation behaviour in a Fe-22wt%Cr-3.2wt%Mo-6.2wt%Ni-0.037wt%C cast duplex stainless steel has been studied. The steel was solution heat-treated at 1175 degrees C for 1 hour and isothermally heat-treated in the temperature range of 500-1,000 degrees C for 8 to 32 hours, followed by water quenching. Microstructure characterisation was performed by scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The typical microstructure before heat treatment consists of primary austenite (gamma(1)) and delta-ferrite. Four secondary phases were observed after transformation including carbide, chi (chi), sigma (sigma) and secondary austenite (gamma(2)). These phases can be distinguished by the bright contrast level in backscattered electron images in the order of chi > sigma > gamma(1) or gamma(2) > delta > carbide. The transition temperature range where the sigma phase took precedence over the chi phase as a major transformation product is approximately above 700 degrees C. Features of the isothermal phase transformation sequence of the cast material are discussed in comparison to that of wrought duplex stainless steel.