The concept of low lattice misfit and high-density of nanoscale precipitates obtained through solution treatment was adopted to obtain ultrahigh strength maraging steel without compromising elongation. An “ultrahigh strength-high toughness” combination was successfully obtained in 19Ni3Mo1.5Ti maraging steel with ultimate strength of ~1858 MPa and static toughness of ~110 MJ m−3. Maraging steel had extremely high density (2.3 × 1024 m−3) of nanoscale precipitates with minimum lattice misfit of less than 1% at the solutionization temperature of 820 °C. Two kinds of nanoscale precipitates, namely, η-Ni3(Ti,Mo) and B2-Ni(Mo,Fe) contributed to ultrahigh strength. The size of nanoscale precipitates governed the movement of dislocations, cutting versus by-passing. Theoretical estimate of ordering and modulus contribution to strengthening suggested that ordering had a dominant influence on strength. The toughness was closely related to the characteristic evolution of nanoscale precipitates such that the high density of nanoscale precipitates contributed to increase of elastic deformation and low lattice misfit contributed to increase of uniform deformation. The nanoscale size and low lattice misfit of precipitates were the underlying reasons for the high-performance of maraging steel. Moreover, the combination of high-density of nanoscale precipitates and low lattice misfit is envisaged to facilitate the futuristic design and development of next generation of structural alloys.

Strengthening of cobalt-free 19Ni3Mo1.5Ti maraging steel through high-density and low lattice misfit nanoscale precipitates

This paper presents an investigation on the strength and toughness of laser-welded T-250 maraging steel joint, aimed at elucidating the influence mechanism of aging temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints. The results showed that as the aging temperature increased, the ultimate tensile strength of welded joints increased, reaching a maximum of 1640.5 MPa at 520 °C, and then decreased. The static toughness of welded joints decreased at first and increased later with the aging temperature increasing. The minimum of 38.8 MJ m −3 for the static toughness was obtained at 560 °C. There were two types of reverted austenite respectively distributing in grain boundaries and in the matrix of martensite, due to the change of aging temperatures. This study underscores that the Ni 3 (Ti, Mo) precipitate and reverted austenite are the critical factors influencing the strength and toughness of welded joints. The Ni 3 (Ti, Mo) precipitate in the weld metal improves the strength of welded joints remarkably as its volume fraction increases. The reverted austenite in grain boundaries is harmful to the toughness of welded joints, while the reverted austenite in the matrix is beneficial to the toughness of welded joints because of its finely dispersive distribution and its ability to prevent crack propagation. Increasing the amount of reverted austenite in the matrix is an effective way to improve mechanical properties of laser-welded maraging steel joints.

Ye Hengqinag

Papers

AN ELECTRON DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS OF THE SECOND PHASES IN A 18Ni-Co-Mo-Ti MARAGING STEEL