APFIM and TEM investigations of precipitation in rapidly solidified 316 stainless steel

316 stainless steel has been rapid solidification-processed (RSP) by gas atomization and hot extrusion of the powder with the intent of improving the mechanical properties through fine-scale precipitation. Vanadium, nitrogen and oxygen have been introduced intentionally as alloying elements for this purpose. The yield strength after solution heat treatment of the RSP alloy is 450 MPa. By ageing at 600°C for 1000 h, the yield strength increases to 615 MPa with little loss of ductility (53% reduction of area). The ultimate tensile strength after cold work and ageing is 922 MPa. The morphology and composition of the precipitates in this steel have been investigated using APFIM and TEM techniques in order understand the origin of the high strength. A high numbered density (≈2×1021 m−3) of 25 nm plate-like precipitates was observed with TEM in an aged specimen. The composition of these precipitates was analyzed using APFIM techniques, and was found to be a complex nitride of Cr, V, Fe, Ni and Mo. This nitride precipitate was not found in an unaged specimen of this alloy. These precipitates are responsible for improving mechanical properties by dispersion strengthening.