Effect of quenching temperature on microstructure and hardness of 403 martensitic stainless steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.03.009

Abstract

Abstract: By means of SEM and EBSD observations as well as hardness tests, the variations in microstructure, texture and hardness of 403 martensitic stainless steel after quenching at different temperatures (900, 975, 1050 ℃) and tempering at 700 ℃ were studied. The results show that with the increase of quenching temperature, the microstructure of the tested steel is lath martensite, and the lath width gradually decreases. The EBSD test results indicate that as the quenching temperature rises, the texture intensity of the tested steel after heat treatment increases, the KAM value and Schmid factor decrease, the volume fractions of recrystallized grains and deformed grains increase, while the volume fraction of substructure grains decreases. The results of hardness tests show that the microhardness gradually increases with the increase of quenching temperature, which is mainly caused by the decrease of average grain size and the decrease of Schmidt factor.

Key words: 403 martensitic stainless steel, quenching temperature, microstructure, texture, hardness

CLC Number:

TG156.3

Wang Guang, Yin Tianqing, Sun Yasong, Wang Xin, Ke Hanzhang, Xi Qiuyan, Hao Chen, Li Zizhou. Effect of quenching temperature on microstructure and hardness of 403 martensitic stainless steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 57-63.

References

[1] Luo H, Yu Q, Dong C, et al. Influence of the aging time on the microstructure and electrochemical behaviour of a 15-5PH ultra-high strength stainless steel[J]. Corrosion Science, 2018, 139: 185-196.
[2] Isfahany A N, Saghafian H, Borhani G. The effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of AISI420 martensitic stainless steel[J]. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 2011, 509(9): 3931-3936.
[3] Ge J G, Lin J, Fu H G, et al. A spatial periodicity of microstructural evolution and anti-indentation properties of wire-arc additive manufacturing 2Cr13 thin-wall part[J]. Materials & Design, 2018, 160: 218-228.
[4] Koese C, Kacar R. The effect of preheat & post weld heat treatment on the laser weldability of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel[J]. Materials and Design, 2014, 64: 221-226.
[5] 王良龙. 403钢热加工工艺的研究[D]. 上海: 上海大学, 2013.
Wang Lianglong. Study on hot working process of 403 steel[D]. Shanghai: Shanghai University, 2013.
[6] 李照国, 王珂, 纪显彬, 等. 回火温度对00Cr13Ni5Mo超级马氏体不锈钢组织及性能的影响[J]. 金属热处理, 2021, 46(5): 95-99.
Li Zhaoguo, Wang Ke, Ji Xianbin, et al. Effect of tempering temperature on microstructure and properties of 00Cr13Ni5Mo super martensitic stainless steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2021, 46(5): 95-99.
[7] 刘永宝, 周丽娜, 刘明, 等. 回火参数对G95Cr18马氏体不锈钢显微组织及力学性能的影响[J]. 金属热处理, 2023, 48(7): 103-111.
Liu Yongbao, Zhou Lina, Liu Ming, et al. Effect of tempering parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of G95Cr18 martensitic stainless steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2023, 48(7): 103-111.
[8] Nemani A V, Ghaffari M, Salahi S, et al. Effects of post-printing heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a wire arc additive manufactured 420 martensitic stainless steel part[J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2021, 813: 141167.
[9] Morito S, Yoshida H, Maki T, et al. Effect of block size on the strength of lath martensite in low carbon steels[J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2006, 438(1): 237-240.
[10] 李渤渤. 低密度Ti₂AlNb基合金板材制备及组织与力学性能研究[D]. 哈尔滨: 哈尔滨工业大学, 2011.
Li Bobo. Plate preparation, microstructure and mechanical properties of low-density Ti₂AlNb-based alloys[D]. Harbin: Harbin Institute of Technology, 2011.
[11] Ma X L, Huang C X, Moering J, et al. Mechanical properties of copper/bronze laminates: Role of interfaces[J]. Acta Materialia, 2016, 116: 43-52.
[12] Veprek Stan. The search for novel, superhard materials[J]. Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 1999, 17(5): 2401-2420.

[1]	Li Shenao, Chen Siwen, Niu Hongwei, Zhu Hongqian, Kan Yun, Jiang Yan, Wang Jian, Zhao Hongyun. Influence of rolling temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of Sc microalloyed Al-3.2Cu-1.5Li alloy [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 1-8.
[2]	Yan Lipeng, Sun Ruixue, Ma Bingxin, Fu Jing, Su Guang, Li Quanan, Zheng Hongjiang. Effect of aging on microstructure and properties of hot-extruded Mg-Gd-Y-Sm-Zr alloy [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 9-15.
[3]	Wang Chang, Wang Liang, Zhou Peishan, Shen Wenzhu, Wang Bin. Influence of cold deformation and heat treatment on microstructure and properties of GH738 nickel-based alloy [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 25-31.
[4]	Zheng Dongsheng, Fan Caihe, Zhou Shunzhi, Dong Yue, Xia Yi. Direct-quenching and tempering process and microstructure-property of ultra-high strength steel for construction machinery [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 51-56.
[5]	Xu Helin, Wang Jianghua. Effect of post weld heat treatment on microstructure and properties of repair welded joints of 4Cr5MoSiV die steel [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 64-68.
[6]	Song Zihao, Guo Yanhui, Wei Yanxin, Fu Bin. Influence of intermediate annealing temperature on texture of a non-oriented silicon steel produced by two-stage cold rolling [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 74-80.
[7]	Wang Jiaojiao, Gao Yunzhe, Guo Taiyu, Hou Wei, Zhou Yuqing, Ren Kepiao, Zhao Linlin, Zhang Ziyue. Effect of tempering time on microstructure and properties of steel used for deep well tubing [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 102-106.
[8]	Sun Jiangbo, Duan Luzhao, Ren Shuai, Sun Caifeng, Gao Zhixin, Peng Fei. Effect of heat treatment process on microstructure and hardness of 20CrMoH steel gear forgings [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 143-146.
[9]	Mao Fuxiang, Yue Qi, Wang Qi, Li Peng, Zhang Jianguo. Effect of solution and aging treatment on microstructure and properties of high chromium alloy 3J40 [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 147-149.
[10]	Qi Jianbo, Yang Lilin, Zhang Xudong, Jin Zili, Yu Huimin. Effect of Ce on normalizing microstructure and texture of 50W400 non-oriented silicon steel [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 167-173.
[11]	Ma Ruoxi, Yin Yubin, Deng Chao, Li Ziyu, Zhang Zhelin, Ding Hua. Microstructure, mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of Fe-18Mn-8Al-1C lightweight steel [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 183-188.
[12]	Zhou Hao, Du Haojie, Zeng Yanping, Guo Derui, Li Weili, Ma Zhibao, Wang Qingfeng, Li Jingxin. Microstructure and mechanical properties of long-term high temperature serviced superalloy GH4145 bolt [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 189-195.
[13]	Liang Xiaodong, Wang Wei, Li Yongqing, Yuan Bo, Guo Xiaofeng, Cheng Yanlong. Microstructure and mechanical properties of G115 steel large-diameter thick-walled tube during long-term aging [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 196-200.
[14]	Dong Entao, Teng Aijun, Fang Qiang, Chen Xin, Dai Guanglin, Kang Qiang, Wang Peng, Geng Naitao. Hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of Ti-38644 titanium alloy [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 201-207.
[15]	Zhang Zhixing, Wang Hailong, Wen Hui, Liu Jian, Tian Binhua, Hu Linquan. Static CCT curve measurement and annealing processof drilling steel 23CrNi3MoA [J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 232-236.