The evolution of primary and secondary niobium carbonitrides in AISI 347 stainless steel during manufacturing and long-term ageing

Nb(C,N) precipitates were studied in a niobium-stabilised stainless steel (AISI 347) statically aged at 700 °C. Scanning electron microscopy and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the volume fraction and precipitate size of primary and secondary Nb(C,N) after ageing times between 0 and 70,000 h. The experimental data were correlated with simulations of Nb(C,N) formation based on the assumption that the process is controlled by diffusion. These simulations provide a rationale for the existence of two sets of niobium carbonitrides in commercial tubes of AISI 347. Growth of primary Nb(C,N) occurred essentially during manufacturing, with no significant growth at 700 °C. Rapid dissolution and re-precipitation of secondary Nb(C,N) occurred during manufacturing. Coarsening at 700 °C of secondary particles was modelled using the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory, which overestimated the coarsening rate. These problems were overcome with a model developed by the authors. This model takes both growth and coarsening into account.