Effect of MX type particles on creep strength of ferritic steel

Creep rupture strength at 650 °C and microstructures of the plain ferritic steels with fine particles of the NaCl type (MX) were studied. Precipitation hardening by the fine MX type particles is more effective than solid solution hardening by tungsten. Excess precipitation of MX type particles relatively weakens the grain boundaries as compared with the matrix and, as a consequence, lowers the rupture strength. The equivalent obstacle spacing for mobile dislocations is calculated from the rupture data and is comparable to the interparticle distance observed by transmission electron microscopy. By controlling the interparticle distance of MX type particles with some adjustments of the chemical composition to meet the engineering requirements, it is feasible to develop a new alloy with high rupture strength at 650 °C which is superior to the conventional ferritic steels.