The application of neutron diffraction to a study of phases in type 316 stainless steel weld metals

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 1983-09, Vol.118 (2), p.165-178
• Main Authors: Slattery, G.F., Windsor, C.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Joining, thermal cutting: metallurgical aspects; Materials science; Metals, semimetals and alloys; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Specific materials; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; Welding
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-3115(83)90222-2

Neutron diffraction techniques have been utilised to study the phases in type 316 austenitic stainless steel weld metal, both in the as-welded condition and after stress-relieving and ageing heat-treatments. The amounts of the principal crystallographic phases present in bulk specimens have been measured. Two compositions of weld metal were selected to provide a “low” (6%) and “high” (16%) initial ferrite level and the subsequent volume fractions of transformation products were measured after heat-treatment. Some retained ferrite was observed in all the heat-treated specimens, ranging from 4% for specimens of both initial ferrite levels treated at 625°C for 1000 h, to around 1% for the specimens treated at 850°C for 6 h. The high initial ferrite specimen produced 0.9% of sigma phase after the 850°C treatment and 0.2% sigma after the 625°C treatment. The low initial ferrite specimen produced 1.5% M 23C 6 carbide after both heat-treatments. The results compare well with previous findings on similar samples of weld metal using optical and electron microscopy.