Computational modeling for coarsening of (Fe,Cr) 2 B in borated stainless steel

Abstract

The microstructure of borated stainless steels subjected to high temperature annealing process near solidus was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. The spheroidization and coarsening of (Fe,Cr) 2 B occurred significantly during annealing at 1200°C. The coarsening rate was much faster than that predicted by existing models due to the anisotropy of the precipitate, i.e., its non-spherical shape. We simulated the coarsening behavior in a multi-component diffusional simulation including the anisotropic effect with respect to annealing time. The model illustrated the coarsening behavior of (Fe,Cr) 2 B well in borated stainless steels, and the interfacial energy between the precipitate and the austenite matrix was estimated to be 1.8J·m 12 .