Abstract
Abstract The mechanical properties and microstructure of 15-5PH martensitic stainless steel were investigated after solution treatment, quenching and tempering. Aging at 350 and 400°C leads to a marked drop of the impact strength, an increase in the ductile to brittle transition temperature and an increase of both yield strength and hardness. Evolution of these mechanical properties during aging can be linearly correlated to allow aging in service to be determined via hardness measurements. During long term aging at intermediate temperatures, below 400°C, the martensite matrix of the 15-5PH suffers spinodal decomposition into chromium enriched and iron enriched domains. This specific embrittlement is reversible by an appropriate heat treatment performed on the aged alloy. However, this regeneration treatment is only effective if the interconnected network formed during aging has not reached its decomposition limit.
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