Recrystallization Behavior and Mechanical Property of a Medium-Si 12%Cr Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic Steel Cladding Tube During the Manufacture

doi:10.1007/s40195-025-01868-4

Abstract

Abstract:

The present work investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties in a novel medium-Si 12%Cr reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel cladding tube (Fe-11.8Cr-0.2C-1.4W-0.17Ta-0.2V-0.55Si-0.5Mn, wt%) during multi-pass cold rolling and annealing. The initial hot-extruded tube exhibited a full martensitic matrix with the prior austenite grain size of ~ 32 μm. After annealing, Cr₂₃C₆ and TaC particles were precipitated, which are basically unchanged (152-183 nm and 84-113 nm, respectively) during the manufacturing process. Meanwhile, with the cold-rolling strain (ε) increasing and subsequent annealing, the martensitic lath gradually diminishes, and the recrystallization volume fraction (f_r) is increased. Based on the static recrystallization kinetics model, a clear relationship between f_r and ε is established, in which the newly proposed kinetic equation demonstrates a strong correlation with the experimental results. Furthermore, the yield strength (σ_YS = 362 MPa) of the final annealed state was much lower than that (σ_YS = 482 MPa) of the initial annealed state, which can be attributed to the recrystallization from the martensitic matrix to ferritic matrix. Various strengthening mechanisms are further discussed, and the calculated strengths are in good agreement with the experimental results. This work provides a guidance for the optimization of cold-rolling and annealing treatments in the manufacture of cladding tube.

Key words: Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel, Cold rolling, Annealing, Recrystallization kinetics, Strengthening mechanisms

Sen Ge, Ben Niu, Zhen-Hua Wang, Qian-Fu Pan, Chao-Hong Liu, Qing Wang. Recrystallization Behavior and Mechanical Property of a Medium-Si 12%Cr Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic Steel Cladding Tube During the Manufacture[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(8): 1385-1396.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of the manufacturing steps from the alloy ingot to cladding tube

Table 1 Processing parameters of RAFM steel cladding tubes

Process	Parameter	Total strain (ε)
1423 K hot extrusion (initial state)	Φ 57 × 5.0 mm	0
Intermediate annealing (initial IA)	1123 K/90 min	0
1st-pass cold rolling (1st CR)	Φ 45 × 3.5 mm	0.6
Intermediate annealing (1st IA)	1073 K/60 min	0.6
2nd-pass cold rolling (2nd CR)	Φ 32 × 2.5 mm	1.3
Intermediate annealing (2nd IA)	1073 K/60 min	1.3
3rd-pass cold rolling (3rd CR)	Φ 19 × 1.5 mm	2.3
Intermediate annealing (3rd IA)	1073 K/60 min	2.3
4th-pass cold rolling (4th CR)	Φ 12 × 0.8 mm	3.4
Final annealing (4th FA)	1073 K/60 min	3.4

Fig. 2 OM a, SEM b, and TEM c images of the alloy tube after extruded at 1423 K a-1, a-2 and annealed at 1123 K for 90 min b-1, b-2, and c

Fig. 3 Elemental distributions in the 1123 K / 90 min-annealed by EPMA

Fig. 4 EBSD IPF maps of the current alloy after different processing passes of a initial state, b 1st, c 2nd. CR state maps are listed in the left column, and the intermediate annealing (IA) is listed in the right column

Fig. 5 TEM characterization of the alloy tube after annealing treatment: a 1st IA, b 2nd IA, c 3rd IA, d 4th FA, e the EDS elemental distributions in d

Fig. 6 Variations in the size and volume fraction of Cr23C6 and TaC particles in annealed states

Fig. 7 Mechanical properties of the alloy tube at different states: a variation in microhardness, b room-temperature (RT) engineering stress-strain tensile curves of CR, c engineering stress-strain tensile curves of IA, d 823 K high-temperature (HT) engineering stress-strain tensile curves of IA

Fig. 8 Mechanical tensile properties of alloy at different states: a CR states measured at RT, b IA states measured at RT, c IA states measured at 873 K

Fig. 9 Relationship between lnln[1/(1-fr)]-ln(ε/ε0.5) curves and recrystallization kinetics curves of the current alloy

Fig. 10 Distribution of KAM images by EBSD results of annealed alloys: a ε ~ 0, b ε ~ 3.4

Fig. 11 Calculated strength increments of annealed alloys: a ε ~ 0, b ε ~ 3.4. The measured yield strength values are also presented with red star symbols for comparison

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