Abstract
The sensitization of austenitic stainless steels is dependent on various factors such as chemical composition, heat treatment temperature and time. To study these effects, the degree of sensitization in five austenitic stainless steel compositions that were subjected to isothermal heat treatments in the temperature range 550–820 °C has been determined using double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation testing. The nucleation and growth of grain boundary M23C6 carbides, that are responsible for sensitization, has been modelled with the help of the precipitation and diffusion modules in Thermo-Calc, assuming local multicomponent equilibrium, flux balance at the carbide-matrix interface, to quantitatively predict the Cr depletion. Based on the Cr depletion characteristics, a depletion parameter has been established that can predict sensitization in austenitic stainless steels and predict the effects of individual alloying elements.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 101088 |
Journal | Materials Today Communications |
Volume | 24 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2020 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Funding
The authors are grateful for the this project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 675715 .
Keywords
- CALPHAD
- Diffusion
- Self-healing
- Sensitization
- Stainless steels
- Thermo-Calc