Effect of quenching and partitioning on the microstructure evolution and electrochemical properties of a martensitic stainless steel

A 0.3C-13Cr martensitic stainless steel (MSS) was subjected to quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment. Due to the different thermodynamic condition from the standard constrained carbon equilibrium (CCE), both the carbides precipitation and the interface migration occur during the partitioning step in the Q&P treatment. However, a sufficient amount of austenite is still retained in the Q&P treated MSS. After being partitioned at 350 °C and 450 °C, the Q&P treated MSS exhibits better corrosion resistance than the same steel treated via conventional quenching and tempering (Q-T) treatment.