Decomposition and Precipitation Process During Thermo-mechanical Fatigue of Duplex Stainless Steel

The so-called 748 K (475 degrees C) embrittlement is one of the main drawbacks for the application of ferritic-austenitic duplex stainless steels (DSS) at higher temperatures caused by a spinodal decomposition of the ferritic phase. Thermo-mechanical fatigue tests performed on a DSS in the temperature range between 623 K and 873 K (350 degrees C and 600 degrees C) revealed no negative influence on the fatigue lifetime. However, an intensive subgrain formation occurred in the ferritic phase, which was accompanied by formation of fine precipitates. In order to study the decomposition process of the ferritic grains due to TMF testing, detailed investigations using scanning and transmission electron microscopy are presented. The nature of the precipitates was determined as the cubic face centered G-phase, which is characterized by an enrichment of Si, Mo, and Ni. Furthermore, the formation of secondary austenite within ferritic grains was observed. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2016