Cr Steel Research Articles

On the effect of tempering temperature on the long-term creep behavior of a 10% Cr steel with low nitrogen and high boron contents

The effect of a decrease in the tempering temperature from 770 to 750 °C on the long-term creep behavior of a 10% Cr martensitic steel with 0.008 wt % B and 0.003 wt % N was studied. The evolution of microstructure and precipitation distribution during creep was examined using the interrupted tests under an applied stress of 120 MPa at 650 °C. It was found that a higher dislocation density, a finer lath structure and finer carbides after tempering at 750 °C did not provide higher long-term creep strength than after tempering at 770 °C. The creep rupture time was about 30% shorter. Effect of changes in the dislocation density, lath width, sizes of M23C6 carbides and Laves phase particles, and precipitation of V-rich MX phase on the strengthening contribution at the onset of creep and at the transient, apparent steady-state and tertiary stages was analyzed. The higher dislocation density formed by the tempering at a lower temperature provided a higher climb velocity at the transient creep stage. The higher driving force for recovery was not fully compensated by the higher strength exerted by smaller M23C6 carbides. This led to faster annihilation of the lath boundaries and a decrease in internal stress and, consequently, to an order of magnitude higher minimum creep rate of the steel after tempering at 750 °C as compared to tempering at 770 °C.

Corrosion Resistance of 13Cr Steels

Super 13Cr steels, which combine high strength and excellent corrosion resistance, are the optimal choice for developing and exploiting complex oil and gas wells, particularly in high-CO2 environments. In this study, we conducted a corrosion assessment of several high-strength steels of the 13Cr type with different alloying systems. We identified the primary parameters responsible for the corrosion resistance of these steels based on our research findings and suggested ways to optimize their chemical composition and select the most economically viable option. We demonstrate the importance of selecting the appropriate alloying system and the impact of non-metallic inclusions (NMIs) on the corrosion properties of the high strength 13Cr material.

Corrosion Performance Analysis of Tubing Materials with Different Cr Contents in the CO2 Flooding Injection–Production Environment

In order to clarify the difference in corrosion performance between low Cr-containing (3Cr, 5Cr, and 9Cr) tubing material and carbon steel N80 in the Carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding injection and production environment and the range of adaptation, corrosion tests and analysis were carried out in simulated working conditions. In this paper, the electrochemical potentiodynamic testing technology and the weight loss method were used to comparatively analyze the corrosion performance and variation law of three types of tubing materials with different Cr contents in a simulated CO2 flooding-produced water environment under different partial pressure conditions. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) analysis were conducted to examine the surface corrosion morphology characteristics and elemental composition of material films under various conditions. The results indicate that the open circuit potentials of 3Cr, 5Cr, and carbon steel N80 were similar under the same experimental conditions. However, the open circuit potentials of 9Cr were relatively high and there was an obvious passivation zone in anodic polarization. Nevertheless, compared to that of 13Cr, the passivation state was unstable, and pitting corrosion continued to expand once it formed. This demonstrates that the corrosion resistance of the material can be effectively enhanced and a stable passivation state can be achieved in the anodic polarization region when the Cr content of the material reaches at least 13%. The service life of materials can be predicted based on their corrosion rate under high temperature and pressure simulation environments. We found that 9Cr materials exhibited good adaptability while 3Cr and 5Cr materials showed poor adaptability. Therefore, it was not recommended to use 3Cr and 5Cr materials. Therefore, 3Cr, 5Cr, and N80 materials will be used at lower partial pressure levels of CO2 (<0.2 MPa).

New insight into the fitness of 13Cr stainless steel in H2S-containing environment at high temperature

In the oil and gas industry, the selection of tubing and casing materials is required to follow international standard ISO 15156. However, it does not provide guidance on selecting stainless steel materials for H2S-containing wells above 232 °C, which raises uncertainty about the suitability of 13Cr steel. This work focuses on investigating the mechanical degradation and failure mechanisms of 13Cr stainless steel exposed to high-temperature conditions and proposed a creep constitutive model. Then, the corrosion and cracking mechanisms of 13Cr stainless steel at temperatures ranging from 150 °C to 350 °C were elucidated. Results show that 13Cr stainless steel meets the current material selection criteria (GB/T34907-2017) for mechanical properties and creep resistance. In the range of 150–250 °C, the localized corrosion is dominant, and stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking occurs at 150 °C. As the temperature increases from 250 °C to 350 °C, although the maximum value of uniform corrosion rate is as high as 0.2960 mm/a, the cracking does not happen. Therefore, with the implementation of suitable protective measures, 13Cr stainless steel can be utilized in wells that the temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 350 °C and H2S partial pressures up to 0.17 MPa. This aligns with the global carbon-neutral agenda.

Effect of 160 MeV Xenon Ion Irradiation on the Tribological Properties and Crystal Structure of 100Cr6 Bearing Steel.

This is the first study ever to show the impact of high-energy 160 MeV xenon ion irradiation on the properties of 100Cr6 bearing steel. The projected range (Rp) of xenon ions is 8.2 µm. Fluence-dependent variations in the coefficient of friction and wear of the 100Cr6 steel material have been observed. These changes correlate with shifts in the crystal lattice constant and variations in the oxygen, carbon, and iron content in the wear track. Fluence-dependent changes in these parameters have been observed for the first time. Irradiation reduces stresses in the crystal lattice, leading to crystallite size increase. The modifications in the properties of 100Cr6 steel result from radiation-induced defects caused by electronic ion stopping. The degree of these modifications depends on the applied irradiation fluence. Furthermore, the use of a higher irradiation fluence value appears to mitigate the effects produced by a lower fluence.

Fatigue behaviors of 40Cr steel bars after nitriding-ultrasonic impacting compound strengthening treatment

In this study, 40Cr steel specimens were subjected to a combination of nitriding and ultrasonic impacting compound strengthening treatments under different impact forces (50, 70, and 90 kg). Consequently, the fatigue life and failure mechanisms of the treated specimens were investigated. The results indicate that the fatigue life of nitride subjected specimens improved compared with the specimens without the nitride treatment. Further, the fatigue life of nitride specimens following the ultrasonic impacting treatment first increased and then decreased with increasing the impact force. The nitriding-ultrasonic impacting compound strengthened specimens with the impact force of 50 kg exhibited the highest fatigue life. In addition, a critical impact force was obtained within the range of 70–90 kg. Fatigue cracks were initiated on the surface for an impact force of less than 70 kg, and they were initiated around the inclusion of Al2O3-CaCO3 on the fracture as the impact force was greater than 90 kg. Finally, the fatigue crack initiation mechanisms of the nitriding-ultrasonic impacting compound strengthened specimens were elucidated in terms of the surface crack, surface roughness, hardness, and residual stress. This study is expected to provide new clues for the optimization of surface strengthening processes of mechanical workpieces.

Microstructural Evolution of a Re-Containing 10% Cr-3Co-3W Steel during Creep at Elevated Temperature

Ten percent Cr steels are considered to be prospective materials for the production of pipes, tubes, and blades in coal-fired power plants, which are able to operate within ultra-supercritical steam parameters. The microstructural evolution of a Re-containing 10% Cr-3Co-3W steel with low N and high B content during creep was investigated at different strains at 923 K and under an applied stress of 120 MPa using TEM and EBSD analyses. The studied steel had been previously normalized at 1323 K and tempered at 1043 K for 3 h. In the initial state, the tempered martensite lath structure with high dislocation density was stabilized by M23C6 carbides, NbX carbonitrides, and M6C carbides. At the end of the primary creep stage, the main microstructural change was found to be the precipitation of the fine Laves phase particles along the boundaries of the prior austenite grains, packets, blocks, and martensitic laths. The remarkable microstructural degradation processes, such as the significant growth of martensitic laths, the reduction in dislocation density within the lath interiors, and the growth of the grain boundary Laves phase particles, occurred during the steady-state and tertiary creep stages. Moreover, during the steady-state creep stage, the precipitation of the V-rich phase was revealed. Softening was in accordance with the dramatic reduction in hardness during the transition from the primary creep stage to the steady-state creep stage. The reasons for the softening were considered to be due to the change in the strengthening mechanisms and the interactions of the grain boundary M23C6 carbides and Laves phase with the low-angle boundaries of the martensitic laths and free dislocations.

Relationships between Strength, Ductility and Fracture Toughness in a 0.33C Steel after Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Treatment

The effect of quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing on strength, ductility and fracture toughness is considered in a 0.33% C-1.8% Si-1.44 Mn-0.58% Cr steel. The steel was fully austenitized at 900 °C and quenched to 210 °C for 30 s. Partitioning at 350 °C for 600 s produces a martensitic matrix with transition carbides, bainitic ferrite and film-like retained austenite (RA) that is stable against transformation to strain-induced martensite under tension. This processing provided the highest strength and fracture toughness but the lowest ductility and product of strength and elongation (PSE), σB·δ (MPa·%). Partitioning at 500 °C produced RA with a relatively low carbon content and low volume fraction of carbides. The steel after this Q&P processing exhibits the highest ductility and PSE but low YS and Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact toughness. High ductility and PSE correlate with the ability of RA to transform into strain-induced martensite, while high strength and impact toughness are associated with the high-volume fraction of transition carbides in the carbon-depleted martensitic matrix and a lack of transformation of RA to strain-induced martensite. The highest CVN impact energy was attained in the steel exhibiting transgranular quasi-cleavage fracture with the lowest effective grain size for brittle fracture. No correlation between strength, ductility and fracture toughness is observed in Q&P steels if these materials have distinct structural constituents.

Resistance to Wear during Friction without Lubrication of Steel-Cast Iron Pairing with Nanocrystalline Structure-Reinforced Surface Layers

During the TDT of 41Cr4 steel specimens, a uniformly reinforced white layer with a nano-crystalline structure is formed in the surface layers. The wear resistance of sliding friction without the lubrication of a pair of steel 41Cr4—grey cast iron EN-GJL-200 (EN) under the face-to-face (“ring-ring”) scheme has been studied. It is revealed that when the sliding velocity changes from 0.25 m/s to 4 m/s and the unit load changes from 0.2 MPa to 1.0 MPa, a pair with a reinforced surface layer on 41Cr4 steel specimens and unreinforced specimens of EN-GJL-200 (EN) grey cast iron has a higher wear resistance than an unreinforced pair. The wear resistance increases for both reinforced and not reinforced specimens operating in a friction pair.

High performance tin-based Babbitt coatings deposited by high-pressure cold spraying

Tin-based Babbitt alloys are widely used as sliding bearing materials due to their excellent tribological properties such as good friction reduction, friction resistance and embeddedness. In this study, for the first time, tin-based Babbitt coatings (SnSb11Cu6) were deposited on 40Cr steel substrates by a high-pressure cold spraying system with dual downstream injection as a preliminary investigation of anti-friction coatings for sliding bearings. The effects of process parameters on deposition efficiency, microstructure, microhardness, bond strength and tribological properties of cold sprayed SnSb11Cu6 coatings were systematically investigated. Results showed that with the optimization of process parameters, deposition efficiency tends to increase first and then decrease, and the optimal deposition efficiency achieved is 53 %. The coating prepared at the gas pressure of 1.5 MPa and gas temperature of 450 °C has the highest density, and the best overall mechanical and tribological properties. XRD results showed that no phase change and oxidation occurred for coatings under all cold spraying conditions. The highest microhardness of cold sprayed SnSb11Cu6 coatings is 28.8 HV0.05, higher than that of as-cast alloy (~22.5 HV0.05). The bond strength between SnSb11Cu6 coatings and the steel was significantly increased by using bond coat and is highest as 21 ± 3 MPa. The lowest coefficient of friction and wear rate of the SnSb11Cu6 coatings is 0.23 and 7.99 × 10−5 mm3/N·m, respectively (pair: GCr15 ball, 3 N). The deposition mechanisms and wear mechanisms of cold sprayed SnSb11Cu6 coatings were also analyzed. With the optimization of process parameters, the particle physical state transits from semi-molten to fully-molten, and the bonding mechanism is mainly mechanical interlocking. The wear mechanisms of cold sprayed SnSb11Cu6 coatings are abrasive wear and adhesive wear, and abrasive wear dominates.

Finite element simulation and experimental study of selective laser melted 40Cr steel forming process

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a novel manufacturing method of complex metal parts. 40Cr is a traditional steel with low cost and high strength, and has wide application. However, the process parameters for the selective laser melted 40Cr steel have not yet been developed. In this paper, based on ANSYS finite element analysis results of the molten pool size and experiments, the optimal parameter of selective laser melted 40Cr was developed and maximum relative density of the fabricated samples was up to 99.34%, when the laser power was 285 W and the scanning speed was 960 mm/s. It was found that the sample consisted of α-Fe phase and a small quantity of γ-Fe retained austenite phase. The microstructure of the specimen was mainly composed of lath martensite, granular bainite and lower bainite. The microstructure of the specimen was mainly composed of lath martensite, granular bainite and lower bainite. Hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the sample with maximum relative density reached to 430HV, 1467.75 MPa and 1298.82 MPa and 25.26% respectively. The mechanical properties of SLMed 40Cr steel is superior to that of 40Cr specimens made by other manufacturing methods, such as casting, electropulsing quenching, etc.

Analyses of the sliding wear behavior of NiTi shape memory alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion based on orthogonal experiments

Laser powder bed fusion of NiTi (LPBF-NiTi) alloys is gaining increasing attention and applications because of its flexible design for complex structures with excellent superelasticity and shape memory effects. Their wear behavior has a strong influence on the serviceability and safety, but the effects of their usage condition on the wear behavior are not clarified clearly. In the present work, the wear resistance of LPBF-NiTi (55.4 wt%Ni) alloys against 100Cr6 steel on a ball-on-slab tribometer and its response to sliding speed, normal load and sliding time were studied through orthogonal experiments. The results confirm that the wear rate of LPBF-NiTi alloys ranges from 1.1–2.5 × 10−3 mm3/m, which is comparable to that of NiTi alloys fabricated by conventional methods. In addition, the sliding speed has the largest influence with a range of 5.1 × 10−5 mm3/Nm, followed by normal load with a range of 4.2 × 10−5 mm3/Nm. The effect of the interaction between the normal load and sliding speed is significantly greater than the effect of the sliding time. Finally, the wear mechanism of the worn surface and microstructure of the subsurface under the wear track were discussed in detail. The dominant wear modes are adhesion, abrasion and delamination.

The Role of O2 and H2O Impurities in Dictating the Oxidation Mechanism and Protective Capacity of 9Cr Steels in Hot CO2

The Role of O2 and H2O Impurities in Dictating the Oxidation Mechanism and Protective Capacity of 9Cr Steels in Hot CO2

Response behavior of grain evolution to forming conditions during hot ring rolling of as-cast 100Cr6 steel

Response behavior of grain evolution to forming conditions during hot ring rolling of as-cast 100Cr6 steel

Effect of Cr addition on the Corrosion-Wear Behaviors of 18Mn(V, Mo) Steel in a Seawater Environment

The objective of this study was to examine the wear-corrosion behavior of 18Mn(V, Mo) steel, which had a minor amount of Cr addition (< 3 wt%), in an artificial seawater environment, and compare it to conventional carbon steel. A variety of electrochemical experiments, including linear polarization resistance, impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic polarization, were conducted, along with weight loss measurements after immersion and wear-corrosion testing. These tests aimed to determine the static corrosion and wear-corrosion mechanisms of 18Mn(V, Mo) steel with respect to Cr addition. The results of this study indicated that the addition of Cr to 18Mn(V, Mo) steel refined the V4C3 particles in the microstructure, which led to an increase in surface hardness. Moreover, the 18Mn(V, Mo) steel with Cr addition exhibited the lowest corrosion and corrosion-wear losses, compared to 18Mn(V, Mo) steel without Cr and conventional carbon steel. This beneficial effect was primarily attributed to the formation of a thin Crenriched corrosion scale that adhered to the underlying steel. This corrosion scale served as a protective barrier against the penetration of corrosive species and as a lubricant for mechanical wear. The 18Mn(V, Mo) steel with Cr addition has potential application in various industrial fields, particularly in marine and offshore environments, owing to its low corrosion-induced wear loss rate in a brine environment.

Synergistic effect of well/over-tempered hierarchical martensitic structure and carbides (M23C6 and MX) on austenite growth in 9Cr steel

To clarify the synergistic effect of well/over-tempered hierarchical martensitic structure and carbides (M23C6 and MX) on austenite growth, the austenite growth during step-heat austenitization for a selected 9Cr steel was investigated by dilatometry, multi-scale characterization and cellular automaton simulation. The austenite grain inherits the geometrical characteristics of the hierarchical martensite substructure to a significant extent through covariant and free growth. In particular, the initially heterogeneous grains with non-uniform martensitic substructure can easily produce mixed and heterogeneous grains. Step isothermal heating under AC1 can promote the evolution of martensitic structure to recrystallized ferrite and recovered equiaxed substructure, associated with coarsening of M23C6 and precipitation of MC. Apart from the recrystallized ferrite promoting the growth of equiaxed austenite grains, the recovered approximate equiaxed substructure decorated with coarse M23C6 and a large amount of MX can promote the subsequent development of fine spherical austenite grains by reducing the abnormal austenite growth and increasing the resistance to interfacial migration. The synergistic effect of the well/over tempered martensitic hierarchical structure and the carbides (M23C6, MX) is critical to the final austenite grain distribution. A window of critical temperature values for step heating austenitization to generate homogeneous austenite grain growth was established by exploiting the inheritance of the equiaxed substructure and reasonably reducing abnormal growth.

Understanding the interaction mechanism of chloride ions and carbon dioxide towards corrosion of 3Cr steel

The investigation focused on elucidating the corrosion mechanism and evolution of corrosion products for 3Cr steel after an exposure to CO2-saturated solutions containing different concentrations of Cl− at 80 and 150 °C. The results show an interaction between dissolved CO2 and Cl− toward corrosion behavior of 3Cr steel. Apart from a competitive relationship between the concentrations of two corrosive species, the evolution of inner and outer films at different temperatures under the interaction between dissolved CO2 and Cl− is a decisive factor in the whole corrosion process, causing a trend of a first increase and then a decrease with increasing Cl− concentration. In addition, the destruction of inner Cr-enriched films after the addition of excessive Cl− conversely reduces the corrosion rates of 3Cr steel, which is mainly due to the formation of FeCO3 crystals instead of Cr(OH)3 in an initial stage of corrosion.

On the strengthening mechanisms of a Fe-0.2% C-0.6% Mn-0.2% Mo-1.0% Cr steel intended for pipelines applications.

On the strengthening mechanisms of a Fe-0.2% C-0.6% Mn-0.2% Mo-1.0% Cr steel intended for pipelines applications.

Effect of Chromium on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Dip Galvanized Dual-Phase (DP980) Steel

Generally, the addition of Chromium (Cr) into the dual-phase (DP) steels can suppress bainitic transformation. In this work, the continuous hot-dip galvanization of DP980 steel is thermally simulated with various Cr contents of 0/0.3/0.6 wt.%, and the effect of Cr on bainitic transformation and properties of steels is studied. The results indicate that the bainitic transformation is obviously inhibited. The fraction of bainite decreases with the increasing Cr content. The incubation time is prolonged in the 0.6Cr steel with a slower bainitic transformation rate. Compared to that of 0 and 0.3Cr steels, the 0.6Cr steel exhibits a high tensile strength of 1033 MPa and uniform elongation of 9.1% due to the rapid strain-hardening rate. As a result, the mechanical properties of 0.6Cr steel satisfy the requirements of hot-dip galvanized DP980 steel.

The Influence of Heat Treatment Applied to 100Cr6 Steel on Microstructure and Hardness

100Cr6 is a steel used both for bearings and for certain components that need precise hardness and stability of properties over time. The paper proposes the analysis of the heat treatment applied to the 100Cr6 steel in order to obtain the imposed hardness in the range of 450-550 HV0.1, within very tight tolerances.