Microstructure Evolution in an Advanced 9 pct Cr Martensitic Steel during Creep at 923 K (650 °C)

Crept microstructures were examined in a 9 pct Cr martensitic steel with low carbon content. The steel was hot forged at 1323 K (1050 °C) followed by air cooling and then tempered at 1023 K (750 °C) for 3 hours. The tempered microstructure included numerous precipitates of MX-type carbonitrides and a small amount of M23C6-type carbides. Two groups of the MX-type particles were observed. The nanoscale MX-type precipitates appeared in the form of...