Effect of cobalt on precipitation in Fe-Cr-Co-Mo-Ni-C stainless steels

Nano-scale precipitation is critical for martensitic steels to achieve ultra-high strengths. To date, there is a lack of in-depth understanding about tailoring Co addition to optimize strengthening precipitations in Fe-Cr-Co-Mo-Ni-C steels. This research reveals that a high addition of Co in a Fe-Cr-Co-Mo-Ni-C steel significantly promotes multiple precipitation of Mo-rich intermetallic compounds (IMCs), carbides and α’-Cr, and achieve an...