LAUSR

The mechanisms for the formation of Laves phase located at grain boundaries and in grain interiors in Sanicro 25 steel after creep-rupture test at 700 °C and 150/180 MPa for 9862/5665 h were studied, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and multi-phase separation technology analysis reveals that Laves phase particles nucleated adjacently either to Si-enriched spots present in the bulky M23C6 carbides or to the grain boundary areas rich in Si, which made the bulky M23C6 carbides gradually divide into small pieces and eventually resulted in the formation of a refined mixture of M23C6 and Laves phase at grain boundaries. Laves phase particles formed independently in austenitic matrix and also dependently at interfaces between austenitic matrix and Z phase in grain interiors. The size and morphology of Laves phase formed at grain boundaries (in M23C6 carbides) and in grain interiors (austenitic matrix) are different. It is hoped that the presented findings will be helpful to understand the Laves phase formation and the grain boundary precipitate refinement correlated with good mechanical properties of this class of austenitic steels/alloys.