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Effects of thermal aging temperature and Cr content on phase separation kinetics in Fe-Cr alloys simulated by the phase field method

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Abstract

Phase field simulations of phase separation in Fe-Cr binary alloys were performed by using the Cahn-Hilliard diffusion function. A new mobility model in relation to aging temperature and Cr content was used in the simulations. Two alloys of Fe-30at%Cr and Fe-35at%Cr were investigated at two different aging temperatures of 573 and 673 K. The phase separation kinetics was found to consist of three stages: wavelength modulation, amplitude increase, and coarsening of Cr-enriched regions. A higher thermal aging temperature accelerated the phase separation and increased the wavelength of concentration fluctuation. While the effect of Cr content on the phase separation kinetics was slight, Fe-Cr alloys with a higher Cr content were found to generate a larger number and a finer size of Cr-enriched regions. The simulation results provide consultation for design and safe operation of duplex stainless steel pipes in nuclear power plants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shu-xiao Li, Hai-long Zhang, Shi-lei Li, Yan-li Wang & Xi-tao Wang

  2. Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou, 215004, China

    Fei Xue

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  1. Shu-xiao Li
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  2. Hai-long Zhang
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  3. Shi-lei Li
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  4. Yan-li Wang
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  5. Fei Xue
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  6. Xi-tao Wang
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Correspondence to Xi-tao Wang.

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Li, Sx., Zhang, Hl., Li, Sl. et al. Effects of thermal aging temperature and Cr content on phase separation kinetics in Fe-Cr alloys simulated by the phase field method. Int J Miner Metall Mater 20, 1067–1075 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0835-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0835-z

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