Microstructure Evolution in an Advanced 9 pct Cr Martensitic Steel during Creep at 923 K (650 °C)

Crept microstructures were examined in a 9 pct Cr martensitic steel with low carbon content. The steel was hot forged at 1323 K (1050 °C) followed by air cooling and then tempered at 1023 K (750 °C) for 3 hours. The tempered microstructure included numerous precipitates of MX-type carbonitrides and a small amount of M₂₃C₆-type carbides. Two groups of the MX-type particles were observed. The nanoscale MX-type precipitates appeared in the form of plate- and round-shaped particles. The plate-shaped MX-type particles were approximately 15 nm in the longitudinal direction and approximately 3 nm in thickness, and the round-shaped MX-type particles were 10 nm in diameter. In addition to the fine particles, the tempered martensite contained relatively coarse MX-type particles, which have a size of approximately 90 nm. The structural changes that occurred during the creep test were associated with an increase in the sizes of the lath and second-phase particles. Moreover, the creep was accompanied by appearance of Laves and Z-phase particles.