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Analyzing Boron in 9–12% Chromium Steels Using Atom Probe Tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2019

Irina Fedorova ,
Flemming Bjerg Grumsen ,
John Hald ,
Hans-Olof Andrén  and
Fang Liu
Irina Fedorova
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Flemming Bjerg Grumsen
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
John Hald
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Hans-Olof Andrén
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
Fang Liu*
Affiliation:
Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
*
*Author for correspondence: Fang Liu, E-mail: fang.liu@chalmers.se
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Abstract

Small additions of boron can remarkably improve the long-term creep resistance of 9–12% Cr steels. The improvement has been attributed to boron segregation to grain boundaries during quenching, and subsequent boron incorporation into certain families of precipitates during tempering. However, the detailed mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Atom probe tomography (APT) is an excellent technique for gaining insights into boron distribution, however, in order to acquire accurate analysis of boron in 9–12% Cr steels using APT, there are several key challenges. In order to better understand and address these challenges, we developed a novel method for site-specific APT specimen preparation, which enables convenient preparation of specimens containing specifically selected grain boundaries positioned approximately perpendicular to the axis of the APT tip. Additionally, when analyzing boron at boundaries and in carbides (as diluted solute) and borides, a widening of the profile of boron distribution compared to other elements was repeatedly observed. This phenomenon is particularly analyzed and discussed in light of the evaporation field of different elements. Finally, the possible effects of detector dead-time on quantitative analysis of boron in metal borides are discussed. A simple method using 10B correction was used to obtain good quantification.

Keywords

boridescarbidescustom-made specimen holderequilibrium segregationnon-equilibrium segregationprecipitatesprior austenite grain boundariesquantificationTKD
Type
Materials Science: Metals
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 25 , Special Issue 2: Atom Probe Tomography and Microscopy APT&M 2018 , April 2019 , pp. 462 - 469
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2019 

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