Austenite decomposition behavior adjacent to δ-ferrite in a Si-modified Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel during thermal aging at 550 °C

The δ-ferrite decomposition has been widely reported in conventional Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel during thermal aging. However, a novel phenomenon is found in a Si-modified austenitic stainless steel, that δ-ferrite decomposition is suppressed, replaced by the decomposition of adjacent austenite. Herein, the decomposition behavior of austenite adjacent to δ-ferrite and its effect on impact toughness in a Si-modified austenitic stainless steel during aging at 550 °C up to 3000 h have been investigated. During thermal aging, austenite adjacent to δ-ferrite is decomposed in the following sequence: (1) γ → M23C6 + α transformation takes place. The preferential formation of secondary M23C6 carbides not only rejects Si atoms into the surrounding austenite but also produces a C-depleted zone. The transformation of austenite to ferrite is induced in the Si-riched and C-depleted micro-zone. (2) The growth of secondary M23C6 carbides induces a continuous rejection of Ni and Si atoms into M23C6/γ and M23C6/α interfaces, and the strong attractive interaction between Ni and Si provides the chemical driving force for nucleation of M6C carbides and G-phase. (3) With prolonged aging time, the lower C, high Ni, and high Si concentrations in the frontier of decomposed austenite will promote the preferential precipitation of M6C carbides rather than M23C6 carbides. During impact deformation, microcracks caused by strain incompatibility between secondary M23C6 and α-ferrite, resulting in a slight decrease in impact toughness. As austenite decomposition proceeds, the higher strain incompatibility across M6C/α interfaces leads to brittle cleavage fracture, resulting in a significant decrease in impact toughness. The mechanism of austenite decomposition adjacent to δ-ferrite and its effect on fracture behaviors in a Si-modified Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel during aging at 550 °C up to 3000 h. [Display omitted]