Ultra-fast grain boundary diffusion and its contribution to surface segregation on a martensitic steel. Experiments and modeling

Phosphorus surface segregation was measured by Auger Electron Spectroscopy on a 17-4 PH martensitic stainless steel at 450, 550 and 600 °C. Surface segregation was shown to be much faster than expected which was attributed to a high contribution of phosphorus diffusion along the former austenitic grain boundaries. A model of surface segregation was developed following the Darken–du Plessis approach and taking account of both bulk and grain boundary solute diffusion. The phosphorus grain boundary diffusion coefficient in 17-4 PH was estimated: DGB< = 6.2 104 exp(− 157 kJ mol− 1/RT)cm2 s− 1. It is found to be more than three orders of magnitude higher in 17-4 PH steel than in α-iron.