Part X - The Properties of Low-Carbon Iron-Nickel-Chromium Martensites

Seven iron alloys ranging from 5 to 12 pct Ni and 5 to 14 pct Cr were studied. All alloys transformed to bcc massive martensites. Tempering increased the strengths , probably because of relief of residual stresses generated by the martensite transformation. The major strengthening mechanism appeared to be solid-solution hardening by nickel and chromium. Studies of the work-hardening behaviw, of the effects of prior austenite grain size, and of the effects of changing strain rate and test temperature gaue results very similar to iron or low-alloy steels. Increasing nickel contents markedly improved the toughness at subzero temperatures. Studies of the flow properties did not, however, indicate the reason for the beneficial effect of nickel on toughness. The marine atmosphere corrosion resistance of the alloys was improved primarily by chromium additions, but increasing nickel contents were also beneficial at low levels of chromium. J\ number of maraging and PH stainless steels are strengthened by precipitation hardening in a low-carbon Fe-Ni-Cr martensite matrix. To some extent the resultant properties of these steels must depend upon the properties of this matrix. The present study therefore was conducted to evaluate the transformation characteristics and mechanical properties of a series of Fe-Ni-Cr martensitic ternary alloys. A limited evaluation of the corrosion resistance of the alloys in marine atmosphere was also made. ALLOY PREPARATION Seven 100-lb air induction melts were prepared using electrolytic iron, nickel, and chromium metal additions. The initial Fe-Ni charge also contained 0.05 wt pct graphite to produce a carbon boil during melt down. After melting of the base charge, the heats were refined with 0.1 wt pct additions of manganese, silicon, aluminum and titanium and poured into cast-iron molds. The ingots were homogenized at 1250°C and uni-directionally hot-rolled to 2-in. plate. They were then homogenized another hour at 1250°C, and unidirection-ally hot-rolled to %-in. plate at a finishing temperature of approximately 1050°C. The compositions of the heats are given in Table I. Two additional heats were prepared as 40-lb vacuum-induction melts using electrolytic iron, nickel, and chromium metals, and commercially pure molybdenum chips. A carbon boil, and 0.1 wt pct additions of aluminum and titanium were again employed, but manganese and silicon were not added. The heats were converted to %-in. plate using the procedure described above. The compositions of these heats are included in Table I.