High-techs in materials science: through-the-thickness austenitic nitriding of heat-resistant steel
Authors: Petrova Larisa 
Published: September 2023

The topicality of the research is occasioned by exaggeration of working conditions of products used at high temperatures and made of heat-resistant sheet alloys, including in particular austenitic chromium-nickel steels. When steel parts under load are operated in an oxidizing atmosphere and aggressive environments, besides resistance to electrochemical and gas corrosion, they require increased strength, hardness, and heat resistance. The increase in the characteristics of these proper-ties is achieved by three-dimensional and surface hardening techniques, which include the nitration process. The applica-tion of traditional technologies of furnace gas nitriding for chromium-nickel steels is complicated due to the problems of the low rate of the nitrogen saturation, which significantly increases the process time, and the formation of chromium nitrides, which negatively affects corrosion and heat resistance. The development of new technologies for nitrogen hardening of high-alloyed chromium-containing steels is carried out in the direction of saturation process intensification and regulation of the phase composition of the nitrided layer to minimize the formation of chromium nitrides. The article is aimed at defin-ing rational technological options and modes of gas austenitic nitriding of austenic steel, making it possible to increase strength characteristics at RT and higher temperatures without sacrificing its heat resistance. Thermodynamic modeling of the phase composition based on the CALPHAD technique shows that primary ways for minimizing the release of chromium nitrides on the nitrided surface are to increase the concentration of titanium in steel and to reduce the activity of the saturat-ing gas atmosphere, which is achieved by inert gas dilution of nitrogen. Experimental studies were carried out on sheet samples of 1.5 mm thick austenic steel of the type X18N10T with a standard (0.5%Ti) and increased (1%Ti) titane content. The experiments were carried out on a laboratory installation for high-temperature nitriding (900.1200 °); pure nitrogen and mixtures of nitrogen with argon were used as saturating media. Two-stage processes consisting of nitrogen hardening in nitrogen followed by argon afterburning were also investigated. Metallographic analysis showed that at the same nitrid-ing temperature, the amount of chromium nitrides decreases in experimental steel with an increased titanium content, and dilution of nitrogen with argon reduces the temperature of chromium nitride release. According to the study of saturation process kinetic, the time of through-the-thickness nitriding of a sheet sample under different saturation modes was deter-mined, as well as the duration of de-nitriding annealing, calculated on the basis of the known thickness of the chromium nitride zone. It was found that the dispersion hardening of the zones of internal nitriding with titanium nitrides leads to an increase in the strength characteristics of steels both at RT and higher temperatures compared to the characteristics of base steel 08X18N10T after typical heat treatment, while the greatest hardening effect is achieved due to through-the-thickness nitriding of steel with 1%Ti. Recommended options for the processes of through-the-thickness nitriding of 1.5 mm sheet of experimental steel: tn=1050 ℃, N2, 16 h; tn= 1100 ℃, 50%N2 + 50%Ar, 22 h; tn=1100 ℃, N2, 5 h + tann=1200 ℃, Ar, 9 h. The temporary passive hardness of nitrided steel at RT increases by 45...50%, and when tested at 800 ℃ - by 40... 65%, de-pending on the process mode. Through-the-thickness nitriding makes it possible to raise the working temperature of steels by 100.150 ° with the same long-term strength. The heat resistance at 900 ℃ remains at the level of non-carbonated steel after two-stage processes that ensure maximum chromium nitrides removal from the surface at the annealing stage.