Phase instabilities during high temperature exposure of 316 austenitic stainless steel

TLDR: In this paper, time-temperature-precipitation diagrams were determined between 400° and 900°C for up to 3000 hr as a function of carbon content, solution treatment temperature, and cold work.

Abstract: Although Type 316 austenitic stainless steel is widely used in steam generating plants and nuclear reactors the knowledge about aging reactions, nature of precipitates, and precipitation kinetics during high temperature exposure is limited. Time-temperature-precipitation (TTP) diagrams were determined between 400° and 900°C for up to 3000 hr as a function of carbon content, solution treatment temperature, and cold work. The nucleation and growth phenomena, morphology, and composition of the various carbide (M23C6, M6C) and intermetallic phases (σ, χ, η were determined. The complex sequence of phase instabilities can be explained on the basis of the carbon content, effect of molybdenum and chromium on the carbon solubility, thermodynamic stability of the phases, and the kinetics of the various precipitation reactions.