Seiichi Muneki

Tetragonal to monoclinic transformation and microstructural evolution in ZrO2-9.7 mol% MgO during cyclic heating and cooling

The tetragonal (t) to monoclinic (m) transformation behaviour and its relationship to microstructural evolution were investigated by means of dilatometry and transmission electron microscopy for ZrO2–9.7 mol% MgO during cyclic heating and cooling between room temperature and 1490 K. In the as-sintered specimens, fine oblate ellipsoidal t-phase precipitates, 20–50 nm in diameter and 100–200 nm long, were distributed in the cubic (c)-phase matrix. They were below a critical size for transformation and exhibited no transformation in the first three cycles. In the fourth and further cycles, transformation occurred in two distinct stages. A low-temperature stage appeared at 850–1000 K on heating and at 400–700 K on cooling, while a high-temperature stage appeared at 1350–1400 K on heating and at 1000–1200 K on cooling. With the increasing number of cycles, at first the size of low-temperature stages increased and then decreased above ten cycles accompanying the development of the high-temperature stage. During cyclic heating and cooling, coarsening of ellipsoidal precipitates and decomposition of c- and t-phases occurred. As a result of the decomposition, MgO particles and a new m-phase containing a very low concentration of MgO were produced. The coarsened ellipsoidal t-phase precipitates were responsible for the low-temperature stage. The new m- or t-phase containing very low MgO produced by the decomposition was responsible for the high-temperature stage.

Analysis of Creep Deformation Process of Heat Resistant Steels Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime

Creep deformation mechanism of the steels with a different matrix, α (ferrite), α’ (martensite) and γ (austenite), and precipitates such as MX and M23C6 has been analyzed using positron annihilation lifetime measurement. The positron annihilation lifetime has been found to be a very useful tool for evaluating the characteristic creep damage of the steels with different microstructure and the corresponding microstructural evolution during creep deformation. The creep deformation process of the α steel is heterogeneous, while the α’+M23C6 steel exhibits gradual changes in the creep rate in both transient and acceleration creep regions with the largest off-set strain, implying the homogeneous creep deformation. The α’+M23C6+ MX steel is in between the α and α’+M23C6 steels. The homogeneous creep deformation takes place in the γ steel.

A study of Carbon and Nitrogen Free New Alloys with Superior Creep Properties More over 700°C

In order to improve the creep strength of the heat resistant steels at elevated temperatures over 700°C, a new attempt has been demonstrated using carbon and nitrogen free Fe-Ni martensitic and austenitic alloys strengthened by Laves phase such as Fe2W and Fe2Mo. It is important that these alloys are independent of any carbides and any carbo-nitrides as strengthening factors. The high temperature creep tests over 700°C exceed 36,000 hours and the test is continued. Creep behavior of alloys is found to be completely different from that of the conventional high-Cr ferritic steels. The alloys exhibit gradual change in the creep rate with strain both in the transient and acceleration creep regions, and give a larger strain for the minimum creep rate. Effect of Cr on the Fe-12Ni-9Co-10W alloys on the creep properties more over 700°C was investigated. It became clear that the value for 100,000 hours was exceeded at 700°C and 100MPa calculated from the Larson-Miller parameter at C=20. And surface appearance of crept specimen was investigated in detail.

Development of New Alloys with Excellent High Temperature Creep Characteristics of 700°C or More

The carbon and nitrogen free new alloys which were composed of the supersaturated martensitic microstructure with high dislocation density before the creep test have been investigated systematically. These alloys were produced from the new approach which raised creep strength by the utilization of the reverse transformed austenite phase as a matrix and intermetallic compounds such as Laves and μ-phases as precipitates during creep test. It is important that these alloys are independent of any carbides and carbo-nitrides as strengthening factors. Creep behavior of the alloys is found to be different from that of the conventional high-Cr ferritic heat resistant steels. The minimum creep rates of the Fe-Ni alloys at 700°C are found to be much lower than that of the conventional steel, which is due to fine dispersion strengthening useful even at 700°C in these alloys. As a result carbon and nitrogen free alloys exhibited superior creep properties at temperatures more over 700°C, and steam oxidation resistance.