skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Phase stability and atom probe field ion microscopy of type 308 CRE stainless steel weld metal

Journal Article · · Metallurgical Transactions, A
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02648964· OSTI ID:230722
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States). Metals and Ceramics Div.

Improvement in high-temperature creep-rupture properties of type 308 stainless steel welds due to the controlled addition of boron is related to microstructural evolution during welding and thermal phase stability at creep service temperatures. The microstructure of boron-containing type 308 austenitic stainless steel welds, in the as-welded state, consisted of 8 to 10% ferrite in an austenite matrix. Atom probe field ion microscopy studies revealed segregation of boron and carbon to ferrite-austenite boundaries in the as-welded state; the segregation level was less than one monolayer coverage. On aging at 923 K for 100 hours, M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides precipitated at ferrite-austenite boundaries. On further aging at 923 K for 1,000 hours, the ferrite transformed into {sigma} phase. Similar microstructural evolution was observed in a type 308 stainless steel weld without boron addition. The volume fractions of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides were identical in boron -containing and boron-free welds. Atom probe results from the welds with boron addition in the aged condition showed that the boron dissolved in the M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides. However, lattice parameter analysis showed no apparent difference in the extracted carbides from the welds with and without boron. Creep property improvement due to boron addition could be not be related to any change in the volume fraction of carbides. However, the results suggest that the incorporation of boron into M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides may reduce the tendency for cavity formation along the M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbide-austenite boundaries and hence improve the resistance to creep fracture. The observed microstructural evolution in welds is consistent with thermodynamic calculations by THERMOCALC software.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
230722
Journal Information:
Metallurgical Transactions, A, Vol. 27, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English