Abstract
The thermal embrittlement in high-strength 18 Ni maraging steel, induced by processing and fabrication, has been attributed to coarse grains and the precipitation of platelike carbides in the prior austenite boundaries. The literature on the subject discusses a heat containing higher than recommended residuals (carbon, phosphorous, sulfur, and nitrogen) [1]. In the same study, the authors failed to discern the effect of grain size from that of the precipitates in a low residual heat. This paper describes a controlled study involving a production heat containing very low residuals, carried out to discern the effects of the grain size and the precipitates. By refining the grain size by a triple annealing treatment, it is shown that even the high-purity material may be embrittled if subjected to very high temperature followed by an exposure at an intermediate temperature where grain boundary precipitation is facilitated.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
