Study of the microstructure of metastable austenitic chromium manganese steel 14Kh15G9ND by optical and electron microscopy

Abstract

Modern metallography being a complex of qualitative and quantitative methods is widely used to analyze the microstructure of metal alloys. We present the results of studying the microstructure of austenitic chromium-manganese steel 14Kh15G9ND by optical and electron microscopy. The method of etching and the reagent, the most suitable for this steel grade, which provide identification of the main structural and phase components (austenite, twins, slip strips) of the steel were selected using the existing techniques. The results of optical and scanning microscopy of the samples deformed with a different degree of cold plastic deformation were compared with each other. It is shown that electrochemical etching in an aqueous solution of chromium anhydride should be used for qualitative determination of the steel microstructure. Optimal parameters of the current density and voltage were also determined. The results obtained can be used for optical microscopy of chromium-manganese steels, as well as for a more complete study of the dislocation structures present in them using scanning microscopy.