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Microstructural evolution and thermal stability after aging of a cobalt-containing martensitic bearing steel

Journal Article · · Materials Characterization
 [1]; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093 (China)
  2. Department of Structural Materials, Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081 (China)
The microstructural changes and thermal stability of a cobalt-containing martensitic heat resistance bearing steel have been investigated in this paper. The hardness variation showed a progressive hardness decrease associated with coarsening of fine carbides at elevated temperatures. The precipitation of secondary phases during tempering at 500 °C for 10 h and 100 h has been characterized and identified in detail using transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the aging treatment induced very fine secondary M{sub 6}C precipitates which were responsible for the secondary hardening peak when tempered at 500 °C for 30 h. But the hardness gradually decreased due to the coarsening of M{sub 6}C carbide and other secondary phases (such as μ phase, σ phase, and χ phase) precipitation when the samples were tempered over 30 h at 500 °C. - Highlights: •Retained austenite fraction was reduced after cryogenic treatment. •Secondary hardening was responsible for M{sub 6}C precipitates. •TEM study to investigate different phases characteristics •Coarsening of carbides during aging has a significant effect on mechanical properties.
OSTI ID:
22689715
Journal Information:
Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Vol. 124; ISSN 1044-5803; ISSN MACHEX
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English