Effect of high-temperature exposure on the mechanical properties of 18Cr–8Ni–W–Nb–V–N stainless steel

The change in the mechanical properties of 18Cr–8Ni–W–Nb–V–N austenitic stainless steel due to aging was investigated at room temperature and 650 °C. It was shown that long-term aging decreases strength characteristics despite increasing hardness. The impact toughness decreases from 255 J/cm2 for an un-aged steel to 135 J/cm2 for the steel aged for 3000 h. However, evidence of ductile fracture was found even after long-term aging. This study suggests that the reduction in impact toughness occurs due to the precipitation of Z-phase and Laves-phase particles at the grain boundaries. The degradation of impact toughness and mechanical properties with aging is discussed in terms of microstructure evolution, secondary phase precipitations and fracture mechanisms.