Investigation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of T23 Steel during High Temperature Aging

Abstract

The changes of the microstructure and mechanical properties of T23 steel were investigated during high temperature aging at 625 °C up to 3000 h. The results showed that the bainitic lath microstructure first decreased and then totally disappeared with the increase of aging time, the size of the carbides gradually increased and the recovery occurred after aging for 1000 h. The contents of W, Mo elements in the matrix after aging for 3000 h were remarkably decreased by 27.6% and 45% compared with the as-received state. However, no M6C carbides formed in spite of the obvious desolution transformation of W, Mo. Both the yield strength and the tensile strength at room and high temperature were decreased with the increase of aging time at 625 °C, and the tensile strength at high temperature after aging for 3000 h exhibited the largest of decline compared with the as-received state. The main reasons for the decrease of the mechanical properties related to the microstructure variations, such as the size increase of the M23C6 carbides, the dissolution of the bainite lath microstructure and the occurrence of the recovery. Meanwhile, the desolution of W, Mo elements plays an important role in the decrease of the mechanical properties.