Mechanisms of embrittlement during tempering of Cartech X-53 steel
- Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center, Watertown, MA (USA)
The effects of austenitizing and tempering heat treatments on the structure and properties of Cartech X-53 steel, a carburizing grade tool steel containing Mo and Cr among its alloying elements, have been investigated. The results of tensile and hardness testing show behavior typical of a secondary-hardening steel, but Charpy V-notch tests show increasing embrittlement with increasing tempering temperature in the range of 260C to 590C. Intergranular embrittlement was observed in the Charpy specimens double tempered at 540C and 590C and in specimens aged for 1000h at 260C, where extensive precipitation of M{sub 6}C (M=Fe,Mo) carbides along prior austenite grain boundaries was revealed by electron microscopy. Specimens double tempered at 370C and 480C did not show any intergranular fracture despite the presence of grain boundary carbides. The embrittlement observed at 370C is believed to be due to precipitation of carbides along martensite lath boundaries. Microstructural evidence of the embrittlement mechanisms is presented along with the mechanical data.
- OSTI ID:
- 5442645
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-840909-; CODEN: TMPSA
- Journal Information:
- TMS (The Metallurgical Society) Paper Selection; (USA), Vol. 56; Conference: TMS-AIME fall meeting, Detroit, MI (USA), 16-20 Sep 1984; ISSN 0197-1689
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHROMIUM-MOLYBDENUM STEELS
EMBRITTLEMENT
CARBIDES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FRACTURES
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
HARDNESS
HEAT TREATMENTS
MECHANICAL TESTS
MECHANICS
MICROSTRUCTURE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERING
TENSILE PROPERTIES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FAILURES
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSCOPY
TESTING
360103* - Metals & Alloys- Mechanical Properties