Abstract
Fe-based superalloy Fe-25Ni-15Cr was plasma nitrided at a low temperature of 723 K (450 °C). The nitrided layer was characterized by optical microscopy (OPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) through stepwise mechanical polishing and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that the double expanded austenite (γ N1 and γ N2) was developed on the nitrided surface. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) revealed that separate expanded austenite layers with distinctly different nitrogen contents occurred: high (18.98 to 11.49 at. pct) in the surface layer and low (5.87 to 5.32 at. pct) in the subsurface. XRD analysis indicated that large lattice expansion and distortion relative to the untreated austenite of an idea face-centered-cubic (fcc) structure occurred on the γ N1, but low expansion and less distortion on the γ N2. No obvious lattice distortion on the γ N1 was determined by calculating its electron diffraction pattern (EDP), except for detectable lattice expansion. Inconformity between XRD and EDP results suggested that the high compressive residual stress in the γ N1 was mainly responsible for the lattice distortion of the γ N1. TEM indicated that the γ N1 layer exhibited the monotonous contrast characteristic of an amorphous phase contrast to some extent, and corresponding EDP showed a strong diffuse scattering effect. It was suggested that the pre-precipitation took place in the γ N1 in the form of strongly bonded Cr-N clusters or pairs. Decomposition of the γ N1 into CrN and γ occurred at the grain boundaries, and the orientation of both phases remained cubic and cubic relationship, i.e., the planes and the directions with identical Miller indices in both phases were parallel. The nitrided surface was found to have significantly improved wear resistance. Further, the nitrided surface showed no adverse effect in the corrosion resistance but slight improvement in the 3.5 pct NaCl solution.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
