The influence of Nb, Ti, and Si additions on the liquidus and solidus temperatures and primary microstructure refinement in 0.3C-30Ni-18Cr cast steel

This study explores the effect of niobium, titanium and silicon on the liquidus and solidus temperatures and primary structural refinement in creep-resistant 0.3C-30Ni-18Cr cast steel. Fifteen test alloys were investigated. The concentrations of niobium, titanium and silicon in these alloys ranged from 0.03 to 3.0 wt.%, 0.03 to 1.42 wt.%, and 1.39 to 4.26 wt.%, respectively. It was found that an increase of these elements in 0.3C-30Ni-18Cr cast steel lowered the beginning and ending temperatures of the solidification process, extended the range of solidification temperatures, reduced the density, and refined the microstructure, i.e., reduced the secondary dendrite arm spacing. Alloys with the highest content of the examined elements were reported to contain carbide precipitates, as well as the G phase in an as-cast state. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.