Strengthening mechanisms of creep-resistant 12%Cr-3%Co steel with low N and high B contents

The contributions from the martensitic laths, dislocations, secondary phase particles, and supersaturated solid solutions to the overall strength of the 12%Cr-3%Co-2.5%W creep-resistant steel with low N and high B contents were calculated after various heat treatments consisting of normalizing followed by medium-temperature tempering. An increase in the normalizing temperature from 1050 to 1150 degrees C led to an increase in the average size of the prior austenitic grains from 44 to 68 mu m, but the delta-ferrite fraction did not significantly change. Medium-temperature tempering in the range of 750-800 degrees C ensured the formation of a tempered martensite lath structure with an average martensitic lath/subgrain size of 0.23-0.34 mu m, along with a high dislocation density inside the laths/subgrains, fine secondary phase particles such as M23C6 carbides along the boundaries of the prior austenite grains, packets, blocks, and martensitic laths/subgrains, and (Ta,Nb)X carbonitrides uniformly distributed inside the matrix. After medium-temperature tempering in the range of 750-800 degrees C, the ferritic matrix was supersaturated with substitutional elements such as Cr, W, Mo, and Cu. An increase in the tempering temperature from 750 to 800 degrees C led to decreases in the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength by 16.2% and 10.5%, respectively, as well as an increase in the elongation of 43.8%. The main contributions to the overall strengthening of the steel investigated after the different heat treatment regimens produced solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening, which were independent of the tempering temperature, as well as lath boundary and dislocation strengthening, which was strongly dependent on the tempering temperature. Different approaches for evaluating the strengthening mechanisms and their contributions to the yield strength were applied, and the results are discussed.