Microstructure characteristics of segregation zone in 17-4PH stainless steel piston rod

The segregation of Cu and Ni in a 17-4PH stainless steel piston rod has been confirmed to be responsible for the cracking after heat treatment. Further investigation showed that the segregation zone was composed of three layers, namely the fine grain martensitic layer, the coarse grain martensitic layer and the coarse grain austenitic layer from the matrix to the crack surface. Three button ingots with the same chemical compositions as those three layers have been prepared to evaluate the grain size distribution, microstructure and mechanical properties. The effects of Cu and Ni segregation on the microstructures of those three layers have been explored by thermodynamic calculation. Based on the microstructure and mechanical properties results, an intensive understanding of the cracking in the segregation zone was therefore reached.