Study of precipitation in 2101 duplex stainless steel

Abstract

The precipitation in as aged duplex stainless steel 2101 with composition Fe–21Cr–5·7Mn–1·2Ni–0·23N–0·3Mo was investigated. The precipitates were detected by XRD and TEM and confirmed to be mainly Cr 2 N, together with some Cr 23 C 6 particles. The precipitation was observed at 650–900°C. TEM analysis showed that plate like Cr 2 N preferentially nucleated in ferrite grains or at ferrite/ferrite and ferrite/austenite interfaces. At 700°C, many Cr 2 N particles were observed in specimens aged for only 6–15 min, which indicated that precipitation of Cr 2 N was rapid.