Effet d'un enrichissement en nickel sur la stabilité mécanique de l'austénite de réversion lorsque soumise à de la fatigue oligocyclique

Abstract

The effect of nickel enrichment on the mechanical stability of the reversed austenite contained in martensitic stainless steels 13%Cr-4%Ni and 13%Cr-6%Ni was investigated. The main objective of the study was to observe their microstructure and to compare the dynamic behaviour of the reversed austenite. Tempers made at different temperatures showed that the 6% Ni alloy began to form more austenite and at a lower temperature. SEM and TEM analysis were used to see the austenite and measure its chemical composition. It has been observed that it was richer in Ni than the surrounding martensite. This enrichment increased with tempering temperature and caused an impoverishment of the surrounding martensite. The study also showed that the chemical composition of the austenite formed at the peak (maximum) of both alloys was similar. For a same tempering, this suggests Ni can help to form more austenite but this austenite is not necessarily richer in Ni. The analysis also showed that the austenite was predominantly lamellar and located at the interface and/or inside the martensite laths. Low cycle fatigue tests have shown that the austenite of the 6% Ni alloy was the most mechanically stable even if its Ni content was lower than the 4% Ni alloy austenite. This behaviour was explained by a thinner and narrower morphology of this phase. For a different content of Ni and different quantity of austenite, the most mechanically stable one was in the 4% Ni alloy. It turned out that its reversed austenite was thinner and its surrounding martensite was a bit harder than the 6% Ni alloy austenite. The effect of Ni enrichment of an alloy would be beneficial regarding the mechanical stability if a suitable tempering is made. This tempering must form a thin lamellar austenite in a sufficiently hard martensite. More Ni in the austenite would not necessarily raise the mechanical stability. It could contribute but it seems that it is not be the main factor governing the mechanical stability of the reversed austenite.

Date	24 Mar 2014
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Philippe Bocher (Supervisor) & Denis Thibault (Co-supervisor)