Effect of Plasma Nitriding on Creep Behavior at 550 °C of a Maraging Steel (300 Grade) Solution Annealed

Abstract

The objective of this work is to evaluate creep behavior of a maraging steel (300 grade) solution annealed before and after superficial treatment of plasma nitriding. Creep tests were conducted on a standard creep machine at stress range of 200 to 500 MPa at 550°C. Samples with a gage length of 18.5 mm and a diameter of 3.0 mm were used for all tests. Creep parameters are determined and a comparative analysis is established with the results gotten from the alloy with and without plasma nitriding. Maraging 300 steel plasma nitrided has showed a similar creep behavior compared with the same alloy without superficial treatment, with creep rate and stress exponent results very close to the material only solution annealed. This result can be associated with the strong impact of reversion of martensite to austenite and overaging at this temperature and time of exposure that minimizes the benefits of a superficial treatment.