Microstructural behavior of 8Cr-ODS martensitic steels during creep deformation

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels show a high anisotropy in their creep behavior because of the δ-ferrite grain elongated in the hot-rolled direction and the characteristic formation of creep cavities. In this work, the relationship between the δ-ferrite grain and the growth of creep cavities in 8Cr-ODS steels was investigated. The samples of two ODS steels with different δ-ferrite volume fractions were machined parallel and perpendicular to the hot-rolled direction. Creep rupture tests and interrupted tests were performed at 700 °C and about 197 MPa. Cavities formed in the martensite along δ-ferrite grains during creep deformation. The area fraction of the cavities of all specimens increased in proportion to the cube root of test time. When the volume fraction of δ-ferrite was high and δ-ferrite grains elongated parallel to the load direction, δ-ferrite then obstructed the propagation of cracks. However, when the volume fraction of δ-ferrite was low and δ-ferrite grains elongated perpendicular to the load direction, δ-ferrite grains had little effect on crack propagation.