Microstructure and Properties of NB, V and N Modified CB7CU-1 (17-4 PH) Steel

Abstract

Microstructure and mechanical properties of CB7Cu-1 (17-4 PH) steel modified by addition of niobium, vanadium, and nitrogen were explored. Four heats of CB7Cu-1 steel: base, niobium modified to remove carbon from solution, vanadium modified, and vanadium plus nitrogen modified were melted in a 45 kg (100 lb) induction furnace under Ar atmosphere and cast into no-bake phenolic bonded sand molds and preheated ceramic shell molds. Computational thermodynamics, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy techniques were used to characterize microstructures produced during homogenization, austenite conditioning, and quenching treatments. Age hardening kinetics were studied at 460°C (860°F) and 482°C (900°F). Tensile an Charpy impact properties were measured in peak-aged and over-aged conditions. Fracture surfaces were observed using SEM and complex niobium-vanadium carbonitrides were identified as fracture initiation sites. For a fixed elongation to failure, a higher tensile strength was obtained by over-aging the CB7Cu-1 steel modified with niobium, vanadium, and nitrogen; however, the Charpy impact energy was lower as compared to the peak aged base CB7Cu-1 alloy.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Research Center/Lab(s)

Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center

Keywords and Phrases

17-4 PH; Stainless Steel; Precipitation Hardening; Niobium; Vanadium; Nitrogen; Charpy Impact; Tensile Strength; Heat Treatment; X-Ray Diffraction

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1939-5981

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2010 American Foundry Society (AFS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2010

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