Annealing (glass)

Phase (matter)

Metallurgy

Materials science

Creep

Organic chemistry

Microstructure

Composite material

Crystallography

Chemistry

Martensite

Nucleation

The Physics of Metals and Metallography

The influence of the temperature, applied stress, degree of creep deformation, and aging time on the formation of Z-phase (CrVN) particles in 9% Cr 10Kh9K3V2MFBR martensitic steel at temperatures of 650 and 675°С upon long aging is studied in this work. The particles with a chemical composition determined by energy dispersive spectrometry as 50% (Cr + Fe) and 50% (V + Nb) are detected and identified as particles of the Z‑phase. An increase in the creep test time at both temperatures led to the growth of Z-phase particles. An increase in the temperature provokes earlier nucleation of small Z-phase particles with a change in the mechanism of their nucleation. An enlargement of particles is observed upon localization of plastic deformation. Long-term annealing at temperatures of 650 and 675°C does not lead to the formation of Z-phase particles. Plastic deformation has a crucial effect on the formation of Z-phase particles in steels containing 9% Cr. The temperature, time, applied stress, and strain localization are aggravating factors that cause the growth of this phase.

The Effect of Creep and Long Annealing Conditions on the Formation of the Z-Phase Particles