MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HIGH-ALLOYED 23Cr-5Mn-2Ni-3Mo CAST STEEL

The article presents the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast duplex stainless steel type 23Cr-5Mn-2Ni-3Mo. It has been shown that the structure of the tested cast steel is composed of ferrite enriched in Cr, Mo and Si, and austenite enriched in Mn and Ni. In the initial state, at the interface, precipitates rich in Cr and Mo were present. A high carbon content (0.08%C) in this cast steel indicates that probably those were complex carbides of the M23C6 type and/or s phase. Studies have proved that the solution annealing conducted at 1060 degrees C was not sufficient for their full dissolution, while at the solutioning temperature of 1150 degrees C, the structure of the tested material was composed of ferrite and austenite. Partial replacement of Ni by two other austenite-forming elements, which are Mn and N, has ensured obtaining mechanical properties comparable to cast duplex 24Cr-5Ni-3Mo steel of the second generation. Basing on the results of static tensile test, a twice higher yield strength was proved to be obtained, compared to the cast austenitic 18Cr-9Ni and 19Cr-11Ni-2Mo steel commonly used in the foundry industry. In addition to the high yield strength (YS = 547 +/- 572 MPa), the tested cast steel was characterized by the following mechanical properties: UTS = 731 +/- 750 MPa, EL = 21 +/- 29.5%, R.A. = 43 +/- 52%, hardness 256 +/- 266 HB. Fractures formed in mechanical tests showed ductile-brittle character.