APFIM characterization of 15Kh2MFA Cr-Mo-V and 15Kh2NMFA Ni-Cr-Mo-V type steels

Abstract

A microstructural characterization of 15Kh2MFA Cr-Mo-V and 15Kh2NMFA Ni-Cr-Mo-V type steels that are used in the pressure vessels of Russian VVER 440 and VVER 1000 nuclear reactors, respectively, has been performed with the use of the techniques of atom-probe field-ion microscopy (APFIM) and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructure of these materials was found to be tempered martensite and bainite. A high number density of coarse (≈ 50 to ≈ 500 nm) blocky M 7C 3 carbides and some inclusions were observed. In addition to these coarse carbides, some finer (≈ 10 nm diameter) approximately spherical MC carbides were also observed in the VVER 440 steel. Field-ion microscopy has revealed that the lath boundaries in both unirradiated VVER 440 and VVER 1000 reactor steels are decorated with an ultrathin semicontinuous film of molybdenum-carbonitride precipitates. Atom-probe analysis has revealed a high enrichment of phosphorus at the lath boundaries.