Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr-Mo Steels for Nuclear Industry Applications

Microstructure and mechanical properties of five Cr-Mo steels for nuclear industry applications have been investigated. Transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, differential scanning calorimeter, hardness, tensile, and impact test were used to evaluate the Cr and W effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties. Microstructures of Cr-Mo steels after tempering are classified into three types : bainitic 2.25Cr-lMo steel, martensitic Mod.9Cr-lMo, HT9M, and HT9W steels, and dual phase HT9 steel. The majority of the precipitates were found to be M$_{23}$C$_{6}$ carbides. As minor phases, fine needle-like V(C,N), spherical NbC, fine needle-like Cr-rich Cr$_2$N, and Cr-rich M$_{7}$C$_3$were also found. Addition of 2wt.% W in Cr-Mo steels retarded the formation of subgrain and dissolution of Cr$_2$N precipitates. Hardness and ultimate tensile strength increased with increasing Cr content. Though Cr content of HT9W steel was lower than that of HT9 steel, the hardness of HT9W was higher due to the higher W content. W added HT9W steel had the highest ultimate tensile strength above $600^{\circ}C$. But impact toughness of W added steel (HT9W) and high Cr steel (HT9) was low.w.w.