Atomic resolution imaging of precipitate transformation from cubic TaN to tetragonal CrTaN

In 9–12% Cr creep-resistant steels Cr(V,Nb,Ta)N Z-phase is known to replace metastable (V,Nb,Ta)N MN precipitates at high temperatures. The precipitation process of Z-phase does not follow the classical nucleation theory, where dissolving MN particles provide constituents for Z-phase nucleation in the matrix. Using atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy, the current work demonstrates that metastable cubic TaN precipitates in a complex steel gradually transform compositionally and crystallographically into stable tetragonal CrTaN precipitates under the influence of Cr indiffusion from the steel matrix.