Development and Characterization of 15Cr-5Ni-1W Martensitic Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel for Aerospace Applications

Abstract

15Cr-5Ni-1W precipitation hardening (PH) stainless steel is a martensitic PH stainless steel finding extensive use in semi-cryo engine applications. The alloy was developed through Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) + Electro slag refining (ESR) under argon cover route. The alloy contains heavy elements like Mo, Nb, V and W totalling ~ 2 % by weight. Since the alloy is martensitic, stringent gas levels were also specified. Hence it was a challenging task to realise it without any segregation and stringent gas levels. The alloy was successfully melted through two different melt routes – (C). Electric Arc melting followed by Vacuum Oxygen decarburization (VOD) - vacuum degassing (VD) followed by secondary melting by ESR and also by melt route (V) vacuum induction melting (VIM) + ESR route. It was then forged into bars, rods and rings. The samples from the alloy were subjected to two different heat treatment cycles. Both the heat treatment cycles involved hardening at 1000°C for 2 hrs followed by air cooling to room temperature. In one of the cycle, sub-zero heat treatment at-70 °C was done prior to tempering while in the other cycle; direct tempering was carried out after hardening operation. Tempering was carried out at 2 different temperatures of 490 and 500 °C to achieve the specified mechanical properties. It was found that the alloy could meet the specified strength and ductility with both the heat treatment cycles mentioned above. However samples subjected to subzero heat treatment showed marginally higher strength with slight compromise in ductility. The alloy also exhibited similar impact toughness in both the heat treatment conditions. Delta ferrite was also found to be within 2% for both the heat treatment cycles employed in this study. The alloy also exhibited excellent strength and ductility at elevated temperature of 500 °C with just 25% reduction in yield strength compared to room temperature yield strength without much change in ductility.