Crystallization of GX2CrNiMoCuN 25-6-3-3 Grade Alloy Cast Steel and its Microstructure in the As-cast State and After Heat Treatment

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research conducted in the field of crystallization and microstructure of duplex alloy cast steel GX2CrNiMoCuN 25-6-3-3 grade. The material for research was the above-mentioned cast steel with a chemical composition compliant with the relevant PN-EN 10283 standard, but melted at the lowest standard allowable concentration of alloying additives (some in short supply and expensive), i.e. Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, Cu and N. The analysis of the crystallization process was performed based on the DTA (Derivative Thermal Analysis) method for a stepped casting with a thickness of individual steps of 10, 20, 40 and 60 mm. The influence of wall thickness was also taken into account in the cast steel microstructure testing, both in the as-cast state and after solution heat treatment. The phase composition of the cast steel microstructure was determined by using an optical microscope and X-ray phase analysis. The analysis of test results shows that the crystallization of tested cast steel uses the ferritic mechanism, while austenite is formed as a result of solid state transformation. The cast steel under analysis in the as-cast state tends to precipitate the undesirable σ-type Fe-Cr intermetallic phase in the microstructure, regardless of its wall thickness. However, the casting wall thickness in the as-cast state affects the austenite grain size, i.e. the thicker the casting wall, the wider the γ phase grains. The above-mentioned defects of the tested duplex alloy cast steel microstructure can be effectively eliminated by subjecting it to heat treatment of type hyperquenching.