Mechanism of Microstructural Deterioration Preceding Type IV Failure in Weldment of Mod.9Cr-1Mo Steel

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the cavity formation mechanism of Type IV failure in weldment of advanced high-Cr ferritic steels. A welded joint of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel was creep tested at 650 degrees C under 83 MPa. The creep fracture mode was Type IV failure in the heat affect zone (HAZ). Microstructural characterization of the HAZ and the fracture location, were performed before and after the creep test. The Type IV cracking started in the inter-critical HAZ at a location having fine grain size and coarse M23C6 precipitates. Moreover, the grain structure of the inter-critical HAZ, which is a mixture of soft alpha and hard alpha' grains, plays an important role in the stage of cavity evolution into a crack along the grain boundary. This is due to the heterogeneity of local strain between the two kinds of grains. By a synergistic effect of the strain concentration, the coarse precipitates and heterogeneous strain distribution among grains in the inter critical HAZ, facilitates the nucleation and growth of creep cavities, resulting in premature failure of welded joints.