Aging of a cast 35Cr–45Ni heat resistant alloy

► The as-cast microstructure is made of an austenitic matrix and primary carbides. ► The carbides are of two different types: Cr- and Nb-rich. ► The microstructure changes during aging. ► These microstructural changes result in the degradation of mechanical properties. The microstructural evolution during aging and its effect on the mechanical properties of a centrifugally cast 35Cr–45Ni heat resistant alloy was studied by means of optical and electron microscopy, and by mechanical testing in samples aged in air at 750°C for a period of time of up to 1000h. The as-cast microstructure consisted of an austenitic matrix and a network of two types of primary carbides that were identified as NbC and M7C3 by their light and dark tones when viewed in backscattered electron mode in a scanning electron microscope. Aging promoted the occurrence of different phenomena such as the transformation of primary M7C3 to M23C6 carbides, precipitation of secondary M23C6 carbides and the transformation of NbC to Nb3Ni2Si. It was found that aging promoted an increase in Vickers microhardness of more than 50%, the increment in tensile strength of around 20% and the reduction in ductility of close to 70%.