Precipitation behavior of stainless steel weld overlay cladding exposed to a long-term thermal aging

Thermal aging behavior of stainless steel weld overlay cladding aged at 400 °C for 10,000 h was investigated. The results showed that the precipitates along the dislocation and within ferrite matrix contained the face-centered cubic structural G-phase and silicide phase. Silicide phase, supposed to be (Fe, Mn)3Si phase, preferred to form with G-phase along the dislocations and within ferrite matrix. Silicide phase showed a cube-on-cube relationship with ferrite phase and G-phase. Heterogeneous distribution of elements within Ni-Mn-Si clusters was responsible for silicide phase formation during thermal aging process, and the corresponding precipitation behavior discrepancy at different forming sites (dislocations, ferrite matrix and phase boundary) was discussed. [Display omitted] •Silicide phase formation with G-phase was first time to be observed.•Precipitation behavior discrepancy existed at different locations of ferrite phase.•G-phase and silicide phase formed along dislocations and within ferrite matrix.•Heterogeneous distribution of elements induced silicide phase formation.