Decomposition Kinetics of Ferrite in Isothermally Aged SAF 2507-Type Duplex Stainless Steel

Abstract

Decomposition of the ferritic phase is studied in isothermally aged SAF 2507 superduplex stainless steel (SDSS) by means of different examination methods. The ferritic phase (δ) undergoes an eutectoid transformation into secondary austenite (γ2) and σ-phase between 650 and 1000 °C. Samples were treated at 900 °C because the incubation time of this transformation is the shortest at this temperature. In order to follow the microstructural changes, x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), automated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), applied magnetic investigation [vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM)], micro-hardness tests, and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used. The results of XRD and EBSD methods for phase quantification showed nearly the same amounts for all three phases. The results of applied magnetic investigation for the fraction of ferritic phase were also in good agreement with the corresponding results of XRD and EBSD methods. Decomposition of ferrite is similarly well-traceable on EBSD phase maps where the coherent ferritic areas gradually broke into pieces with increasing time of heat treatment. According to the EBSD measurements the σ-phase grains appeared and started to grow after 2 min aging time in the ferritic-austenitic matrix, usually on the boundaries of ferritic and austenitic grains. After 15 min treating time, the microstructure consisted of mainly σ- and austenitic (primary and secondary) phases with negligible amount of ferrite. Chemical composition of the σ-phase was measured by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) at different aging times. Activation energies of σ-phase precipitation and α′-phase formation were determined by the Kissinger plot, through DTA measurements; they are 243 and 261 kJ/mol, respectively. Using the results of phase quantifications, the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation was fitted.