Dynamic strain-ageing of A203D nuclear structural steel

The present investigation deals with the dynamic strain-ageing behaviour of a nuclear structural steel, designated ASTM A203 grade D, in tempered martensitic and ferritic-pearlitic microstructural conditions. The serrated stress-strain curves, characteristic of this phenomenon have been observed in the temperature range 100–200°C, with nominal strain rates varying from 1.33 × 10 −5 to 6.66 × 10 −4/s . It has been noted that dynamic strain-ageing causes a sharp rise in ultimate strength and work-hardening rate, a marked decrease in ductility and a negative strain-rate sensitivity of the flow stress. In this temperature range, the yield stress also increases with increasing temperature but the rise in ultimate stress is much greater than the rise in yield stress. The temperature and strain-rate dependence of the onset of serrations yields an activation energy of 63 kj/mol (15 kcal/mol), which suggests that the process is controlled by interstitial diffusion, probably of nitrogen, in ferrite. It appears that microstructure does not have any strong influence on the changes in mechanical properties of this steel during dynamic strain-ageing.