Physicochemical phase analysis of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels after solution treatment and aging

Precipitation of nitrides and carbides in high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels after solution treatment and aging was investigated by using a physicochemical phase analysis method. The character, particle size distribution, content and structural formulae of phases in the alloy were determined. It is shown that the precipitate is mostly M₂₃C₆ carbide in 1Cr22Mn15N0.6 steel and (CrFe)₂N_1-x nitride in 1Cr22Mn15N0.9 steel respectively, and its volume fraction increases with prolonging the aging time.