Characterization of precipitates in X12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 steel during heat treatment

The characterization of precipitates in X12CrMoWVNbN10-1-1 steel during the heat treatment was carried out for revealing the evolution of the precipitates. In addition to other microstructural parameters (such as dislocation and subgrains), the precipitate also plays an important role for microstructural stability which is a prerequisite for long term creep strength. In this paper, the precipitates during the heat treatment for this steel were characterized using physicochemical phase analyses and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the Fe-rich M3C carbides and Nb-rich MX particles were detected in the samples cooled in furnace from austenitization at 1080 °C for 16 h. However, after water cooling, only Nb-rich MX particles existed. During tempering at 570 °C for 18 h, the formation of Cr-rich M7C3 was detected but was replaced partially by Cr-rich M23C6. Additional Cr-rich M2N nitride was also found. After two successive tempering (570 °C + 690 °C) for 24 h, Cr-rich M7C3 was completely replaced. The microchemical analyses of the extracted residues during heat treatment were also discussed. The results gave rise to an indication that the precipitation of precipitates nearly completed in first tempering and the transformation from Cr-rich M7C3 to Cr-rich M23C6 mainly occurred in the second tempering.