J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2022, Vol. 102: 105-114.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.06.033

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Refinement mechanism of cerium addition on solidification structure and sigma phase of super austenitic stainless steel S32654

Shucai Zhanga, Jiangtao Yua, Huabing Lia,*(), Zhouhua Jianga,*(), Yifeng Gengb, Hao Fenga, Binbin Zhanga, Hongchun Zhua   

  1. aSchool of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    bSchool of Materials and Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China
  • Received:2021-05-09 Revised:2021-05-29 Accepted:2021-06-14 Published:2021-08-27 Online:2021-08-27
  • Contact: Huabing Li,Zhouhua Jiang
  • About author:jiangzh@smm.neu.edu.cn (Z. Jiang).
    *E-mail addresses: lihb@smm.neu.edu.cn (H. Li),
    First author contact:

    1These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract:

The influence of Ce addition on the solidification structure and σ phase of super austenitic stainless steel S32654 was systematically investigated via microstructural characterization and thermodynamic calculation. The results indicate that a small addition of Ce could modify MgO and MnS into Ce-bearing inclusions Ce2O3 and Ce2O2S. Ce addition led to noticeable refinement of both the dendrite structure and σ phase. The refinement mechanism could be attributed to the combined actions of effective Ce-bearing inclusions and solute Ce. Effective Ce-bearing inclusions could serve as heterogeneous nucleation cores of austenite as well as σ phase, which provided a favorable prerequisite for their refinement. Solute Ce significantly enhanced the undercooling degree of the system, further promoting dendrite structure refinement. Meanwhile, solute Ce improved the eutectic precipitation conditions of σ phase and further promoted its nucleation, while the dendrite refinement limited its growth space. Finally, more fine and dispersed σ phase particles formed in S32654 with Ce addition. The refinement of dendrite structure and σ phase will reduce the temperature and time required for high-temperature homogenization, which is beneficial to the hot working of this steel.

Key words: Super austenitic stainless steel, Cerium, Solidification structure, Sigma phase, Refinement