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Introduction of Martensitic and precipitation hardening grades
Martensitic and precipitation hardening stainless steels are heat
treatable and can therefore provide
hardness and strength in a wide range.
Allowing to workability they are supplied in solution annealed
condition.
The downstream manufacturer performs final heat treatment to meet
the mechanical properties required.
Martensitic grades are basically Fe-Cr alloys with a higher carbon content than ferritics which
enables them to harden on cooling in air, oil or water.
Depending on grade and intended use, ductility is improved by
tempering.
standard grades
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Typical applications for martensitic grades:
Precipitation hardening grades have higher alloying contents than martensitic grades.
They contain nickel, and in order to achieve hardening by aging
additions of copper, aluminium, titanium,
niobium and molybdenum.
Depending on chemical composition their microstructure after final
heat treatment is austenitic,
semi-austenitic or martensitic.
special grades
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Typical applications for precipitation hardening grades:
Product properties
High strength and hardness distinguish martensitic stainless steels
from the other stainless steel families.
After austenitizing cooling is performed in air, water or oil,
depending on steel grade.
If the intended application requires a high level of hardness (e.g.
knives, HRC55),
only stress relief annealing will be performed. Normally
martensitic stainless steels are tempered in order
to acquire useful mechanical properties, i.e. a certain level of toughness (A5 ≥ 15 %).
Nickel-martensitic steels are superior to traditional martensitic grades regarding strength in combination
with toughness.
Their microstructure contains stable austenite after hardening and tempering which accounts for good
toughness without drawbacks concerning corrosion resistance.
Precipitation hardening stainless steels provide remarkable levels of high strength and hardness in a
very wide range. With the exception of the martensitic alloys (e.g. 1.4542) cold formability is satisfactory.
Weldability
Traditional martensitic steels with a carbon content > 0.20 %
are difficult to weld; assistance is advised.
The hardenable high-carbon grades are not suitable for welding.
Low-carbon nickel-martensitic grades have relatively good
weldability.
Welding of precipitation hardened grades is possible, but depending
on grade some limitations might
have to be regarded.
Corrosion resistance
Corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steels may vary
considerably depending on chemical
composition (C, Cr, Mo), surface finish and especially heat treatment. Smooth polished surfaces experience
higher resistance than rougher finishes.
In terms of heat treatment the hardened condition is more favourable, since the elements promoting
corrosion resistance are in solution and therewith effective.
Tempering may lead to carbide precipitation which impairs corrosion
resistance.
This is always the case for traditional martensitic grades, whereas nickel-martensitic grades with
max 0.06 % carbon and 3-6 % nickel (e.g. 1.4313 and 1.4418) do not sacrifice corrosion resistance by tempering.
Corrosion resistance of precipitation hardening steels is higher compared with heat treatable martensitic
stainless steels ranking between ferritic Cr and austenitic CrNi steels.
For Details, please Contact
WUXI GUANGLU Special Steel Co., Ltd.
Stainless martensitic • precipitation hardening steel • stainless ferritic — Our answer to your needs
Tel: +86 510 81812873
Email: export@guanglusteel.com