Microstructure of Stainless Steels

George Vander Voort Director, Research and Technology Buehler Ltd. Lake Bluff, Il 60044 USA

Martensitic Stainless Steels

AISI 403
Fe - <0.15% C 12.25% Cr - <0.6% Ni

25 m

100 m

Annealed

Quenched and Tempered

Annealed (ferrite and carbides) and quenched and tempered (tempered martensite) microstructures of AISI 402; Vilellas reagent.

AISI 410 As Cast

Fe - <0.15% C 12.5% Cr

20 m

Microstructure of as-cast 410 stainless steel showing a patch of delta ferrite surrounded by martensite, Vilellas reagent.

AISI 410, 1900 F, Oil Quench, 1200 F Temper

20 m

Tempered martensite in 410 revealed using modified Frys reagent.

AISI 416 Bushing Quality

Fe - <0.15% C 13% Cr >0.15% S

50 m

50 m

Transverse

Longitudinal

Ferritic microstructure of annealed bushing quality 416 stainless steel revealed using Vilellas reagent.

AISI 416

20 m

Manganese sulfides in hot rolled AISI 416 stainless steel; as-polished.

AISI 416

Microstructure of 416 free-machining martensitic stainless steel in the quenched and tempered condition. Etched with Vilellas reagent. Original at 100X. Note the gray elongated sulfide inclusions and the elongated stringers of delta ferrite (white, see arrows). The matrix is tempered martensite.

AISI 416

Microstructure of 416 free-machining martensitic stainless steel in the quenched and tempered condition. Etched with Ralphs reagent. Original at 500X. Note the gray elongated sulfide inclusions and the elongated stringers of delta ferrite (white, see arrows). The matrix is tempered martensite.

AISI 416

20 m

10 m

Tempered martensite, delta ferrite and manganese sulfides in quenched and tempered 416 stainless steel (mod. Frys reagent).

AISI 416

Microstructure of wrought, Project 70 type 416 martensitic stainless steel consisting of manganese sulfides (gray), delta ferrite (white) and tempered martensite (blue and brown) after tint etching with Berahas CdS reagent and viewing with polarized light plus sensitive tint. Original at 500X.

5F (Modified 416)
Fe - <0.1% C 13.5% Cr - >0.3% S

Grade 5F has 0.5% S and more delta ferrite than Project 70 type 416 martensitic stainless steel; Ralphs reagent (does not attack sulfides).

TrimRite (AISI 420)

Fe 0.22% C 14.25% Cr - <0.6% Ni

Annealed (ferrite and carbide) microstructure of TrimRite stainless steel; Vilellas reagent.

AISI 420
Fe 0.30% C 0.42% Mn 0.79% Si 13.8% Cr 0.27% Ni

Microstructure of type 420 martensitic stainless steel in the quenched and tempered condition revealing a martensitic matrix and the prior-austenite grain boundaries. Etched with Vilellas reagent. Original at 1000X.

AISI 420

Vilellas Reagent

Berahas Sulfamic Acid Reagent

Carbide networks have been a problem in large sections of hardened (1038 C, AC, 177 C) AISI 420.

13Cr 4 Ni Martensitic Stainless Steel

Martensitic microstructure of an Fe 0.03% C 13% Cr 4% Ni martensitic stainless steel etched with Vilellas reagent.

AISI 422
Fe 0.22% C 12.5% Cr 0.75% Ni 1% Mo 1% W 0.23% V

25 m

25 m

1900 F, AC, 500 F, AC Wrought P/M

1900 F, AC, 1200 F, AC Wrought EF-AOD/ESR

Tempered martensitic microstructure of wrought P/M (left) and EF-AODESR (right) 422 stainless etched with Ralphs reagent.

AISI 422

100 m

20 m

Segregation streak in a billet (longitudinal plane) of AISI 422 stainless steel revealed using glyceregia.

AISI 422

25 m

Murakamis reagent (70 F 30 s) was used to darken carbides on the grain boundaries associated with the segregation streak in the 422 billet.

EP 428
Russian Grade similar to AISI 422 used for steam turbine blades

100 m

Tempered martensite structure of EP 428 martensitic stainless steel; Vilellas reagent.

CA-6NM (Casting Alloy)

Fe - <0.06%C 12.5% Cr 4% Ni 0.7% Mo

100 m

10 m

Martensitic structure (with some delta ferrite arrows) in cast CA-6NM stainless steel; Ralphs reagent.

AISI 440C As Cast

Fe 1.05% C 17% Cr <0.75% Mo

100 m

20 m

As-microstructure of 440C with a dendritic structure and carbides in the interdendrtitic regions; Ralphs reagent.

AISI 440C - Annealed

10 m

10 m

Annealed microstructure, ferrite and carbides, in 440C martensitic stainless steel. Excessive cold reduction (wire drawing) will crack the larger Cr7C3 carbides (right). Villelas reagent.

AISI 440C - Annealed

20 m

Annealed 440C etched with Berahas CdS reagent, polarized light plus sensitive tint.

FED-14 (Casting Grade)

Fe 2.21% C 0.92% Mn 0.54% Si 12.65% Cr 0.3% Ni 0.7% Mo 0.11% V

100 m

20 m

Tempered martensite and extensive alloy carbide networks in FED-14, 670HV, Berahas sulfamic acid reagent No. 4.

FED-18 (Casting Grade)

Fe 3.1% C 0.75% Mn 1.03% Si 18.59% Cr 0.22% Ni 1.96% Mo

100 m

20 m

Tempered martensite and extensive alloy carbide networks in FED-84, 657HV, Berahas sulfamic acid reagent No. 4.

FED-25 (Casting Grade)

Fe 2.84% C 0.67% Mn 0.48% Si 25.92% Cr 0.21% Ni 0.14% Mo

100 m

20 m

Tempered martensite and extensive alloy carbide networks in FED-25, 643HV, Berahas sulfamic acid reagent No. 4.

Ferritic Stainless Steels

AISI 409
Fe <0.08% C 11.2% Cr 0.5% Ni + Ti

Microstructure of 409 stainless steel sheet revealed using Vilellas reagent.

P/M AISI 409

50 m

20 m

Microstructure of ferritic P/M 409 stainless steel that was not fully compacted. Note the voids and oxides at grain boundaries and within grains; Vilellas reagent.

AISI 430F
Fe - <0.12% C 17% Cr - >0.15% S

50 m

Sulfide inclusions in wrought, con-cast 430F resulfurized stainless steel; Ralphs reagent, longitudinal plane.

High-Carbon 430 Stainless Steel

Fe - <0.12% C 17% Cr

100 m

20 m

To obtain high strength, Carpenter makes a high-carbon (within the specification range) version of 430 stainless steel, quenched and tempered, producing ferrite and martensite (modified Frys reagent).

High-Carbon 430

Ferrite-martensite microstructure (longitudinal plane) in high-carbon, duplex 430 stainless; glyceregia etch.

Monit
Fe - <0.025% C 25% Cr 4% Ni 4% Mo - <0.035N + Nb/Ta

50 m

Ferritic grain structure of Monit, 60% HNO3 in water, 1 V dc, 60 s.

Sea-Cure
Fe - <0.025% C 27.5% Cr 1.2% Ni 2.5% Mo - <0.025% N 0.5% Ti

Ferritic grain structure of annealed Sea-Cure ferritic stainless steel etched with 60% HNO3, 1.5 V dc, 2 minutes.

E-Brite (26Cr-1Mo)
Fe - <0.015% C 26.25% Cr 1.2% Mo - <0.015% N

100 m

Bi-modal grain-size distribution (longitudinal plane) in 26Cr-1Mo ferritic stainless steel (60% nitric acid in water, 1 V dc, 20 s).

29-4 Ferritic Stainless Steel

Fe - <0.010% C 29% Cr 3.8% Mo - <0.02% N

100 m

Microstructure of a weld in 29-4 ferritic stainless steel; 60% HNO3, 1.5 V dc.

29-4-2 Ferritic Stainless Steel

Fe - <0.010% C 29% Cr 2.25% Ni 3.7% Mo - <0.020% N

100 m

Ferritic grain structure of 29-4-2 stainless; etched with 60% HNO3, 1.5 V dc, 90 s.

Austenitic Stainless Steels

AISI 203
Fe - <0.08% C 5.75% Mn 17% Cr 5.75% Ni 2% Cu - <2% Mo 0.25% S

50 m

20 m

Manganese sulfides in 203 stainless (left: as-polished); grain structure and delta ferrite (right: Ralphs reagent).

AISI 203

20 m

Martensite produced in cold worked 203 stainless steel containing some delta ferrite stringers and manganese sulfides (longitudinal plane); Ralphs reagent.

AISI 301 As Cast

Fe <0.15% C 17% Cr 7% Ni

100 m

100 m

Bright Field

Nomarski DIC

As-cast dendritic structure of type 301 austenitic stainless steel. Ralphs reagent.

Custom Flo 302-HQ

Fe - <0.08% C - <2% Mn 18% Cr 9% Ni 3.5% Cu

200 m

Austenitic grain structure of solution annealed, wrought Custom Flo 302-HQ stainless steel tint etched with Berahas BII reagent and viewed with polarized light plus sensitive tint.

Custom Flo 302-HQ

20 m

Delta ferrite stringer in 302 revealed using waterless Kallings reagent.

Custom-Flo 302-HQ

Solution Annealed

Solution Annealed + Cold Drawn

Austenitic grain structure in Custom-Flo 302-HQ revealed with waterless Kallings reagent.

AISI 303
Fe - <0.15% C 18% Cr 9% Ni 0.6% Mo - >0.15% S

20 m

20 m

Manganese sulfides (left) and manganese selenides (right) in 303 and 303-Se stainless steel (as-polished).

AISI 303

20 m

Austenitic grains and manganese sulfides in type 303 stainless steel; Ralphs reagent (does not attack sulfides).

AISI 303

10 m

20 m

Martensite produced by cold working type 303 stainless (different specimens) revealed by Ralphs reagent (left) and waterless Kallings reagent (right).

Dendrites 304 SS

AISI 304
Fe - <0.08% C - <2% Mn - <1% Si 19% Cr 9.25% Ni

Microstructure of solution annealed type 304 stainless steel revealing austenite grains containing annealing twins. Etched with Kallings No. 2 reagent (waterless Kallings). Original at 100X.

AISI 304 Cold Drawn

Bright Field

Nomarski DIC

Microstructure of cold drawn 304 stainless steel showing stress-induced martensite; left bright field; right Nomarski DIC (15 mL HCl 10 mL acetic acid 10 mL HNO3)

AISI 304

50 m

10 m

Stress-induced martensite (arrows) in cold worked 304 stainless steel revealed by etching with Vilellas reagent.

304 Stainless, Cold Drawn 18%, Solution Annealed and Sensitized

100 m

100 m

10% Oxalic Acid, 6 V dc

10% Ammonium persulfate, 6 V dc

Grain structure of sensitized 304 revealed by etching with (left) 10% oxalic acid electrolytic and (right) with 10% ammonium persulfate, both at 6 V dc.

AISI 304 - Sensitized

100 m

Carbides were precipitated on the austenite grain boundaries of this specimen of type 304 austenitic stainless steel that was solution annealed (1038 C 1 h, water quench) and aged at 650 C for 2 h. Precipitation on twin boundaries is in a much lesser amount. The carbide was darkened by etching with aqueous 10% ammonium persulfate, 6 V dc, 10 s.

316L Solution Annealed at 1750 F

Fe - <0.03% C 17% Cr 12% Ni 2.5% Mo

50 m

50 m

Kallings No. 2

60% HNO3, 1.5 V dc, 120 s

Grain structure of 316L revealed using (left) waterless Kallings and (right) with 60% HNO3 in water, 1.5 V dc, 2 minutes, Pt cathode.

316L Solution Annealed at 1750 F

Austenitic grain structure and delta ferrite stringer revealed using Berahas BI tint etch.

AISI 316L

200 m

Austenitic grain structure of type 316L stainless steel that was cold reduced 30% in thickness and solution annealed at 1150 C. Tint etched with Berahas BII reagent and viewed with polarized light plus sensitive tint.

316L Solution Annealed at 1750 F

20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10 s

NH4OH, 5 V dc, 10 s

Delta ferrite (left) and carbides (right) found along the centerline of this 316L stainless steel bar.

AISI 316 As Cast

Fe - <0.08% C 17% Cr 12% Ni 2.5% Mo

100 m

20 m

As-cast microstructure of 316 stainless contains more delta ferrite than seen after hot working due to segregation during solidification. Glyceregia etch.

AISI 316

100 m

100 m

Acetic Glyceregia

Marbles Reagent

Revealing the austenitic grain structure of 316 stainless steel with different etchants.

AISI 316

100 m

100 m

HCl HNO3 H2O

10% Oxalic Acid, 6 V dc, 10 s

Revealing the austenitic grain structure of 316 stainless steel with different etchants.

AISI 316

100 m

60% HNO3 in H2O, 0.6 V dc, 90 s Revealing the austenitic grain structure of 316 stainless steel with different etchants.

AISI 316

Microstructure of solution annealed type 316 stainless steel revealing austenite grains containing annealing twins. Tint etched with Berahas solution (15 mL HCl 85 mL water 1 g K2S2O5).

AISI 316

Microstructure of solution annealed type 316 stainless steel revealing austenite grains containing annealing twins. Etched with Kallings No. 2 reagent (waterless Kallings).

AISI 316 - Sensitized

100 m

316 stainless steel sensitized by aging at 1200 F for 2 h to precipitate Cr23C6 carbide on the grain boundaries. Etched with equal parts of HNO3, HCl and water.

AISI 316

AISI 316 stainless steel solution annealed at 1093 C and etched with 60% HNO3 in water at 1.5 V dc for 2 minutes which reveals nearly all of the grain boundaries and very little of the twin boundaries.

As-Cast CF-8 M
Fe - <0.08% C 19.5% Cr 10.5% Ni 2.5% Mo

50 m

50 m

As-Cast

As-cast and Solution Annealed

Delta ferrite in as-cast and as-cast and solution annealed CF-8M stainless steel revealed using glyceregia.

AISI 321
Fe - <0.08% C 18% Cr 10.5% Ni + Ti

Bright Field

Nomarski DIC

Delta ferrite stringers in an austenitic matrix (longitudinal plane) is solution annealed 321 stainless steel; left bright field; right Nomarski DIC (etched with 15 mL HCl 10 mL acetic acid 10 mL HNO3).

AISI 347
Fe - <0.08% C 18% Cr 11% Ni + Nb

100 m

100 m

5% Reduction

10% Reduction

Effect of cold reduction in diameter on the austenitic grain structure and slip deformation revealed using 60% HNO3 at 4 V dc.

AISI 347

100 m

100 m

15% Reduction

30% Reduction

Effect of cold reduction in diameter on the austenitic grain structure and slip deformation revealed using 60% HNO3 at 4 V dc.

AISI 347 15% Cold Reduction

100 m

50 m

Grain structure and slip revealed by electrolytic etching with 60% HNO3, 1.4 V dc, 60 s.

22-13-5 (Nitronic 50)

Fe - <0.06% C 5% Mn 22% Cr 12.5% Ni 2.25% Mo 0.2% Nb 0.2% V 0.3% N

100 m

Duplex grain size distribution in solution annealed 22-13-5 austenitic stainless steel etched with waterless Kallings reagent.

SCF-19
Fe 0.03% C 5% Mn 20% Cr 18% Ni 5% Mo 0.35% N

100 m

Necklace-type duplex grain size distribution in SCF-19 austenitic stainless steel that was cold reduced 10% in thickness and solution annealed at a low temperature (900 C 1 h, water quench). Etched with aqueous 60% HNO3, 1 V dc, 60 s. Complete recrystallization, and grain growth, would occur at a higher temperature, 1180 C is the recommended solution annealing temperature.

18-18 Plus
Fe - <0.15%C 18% Mn 18% Cr 1% Mo 1% Cu 0.5% N

100 m

50 m

Austenitic grain structure of 18-18 Plus, nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel etched with Berahas BI reagent and viewed with polarized light and sensitive tint.

Precipitation Hardenable Stainless Steels

AM 350
Fe 0.09% C 0.85% Mn 16.5% Cr 4.5% Ni 2.85% Mo 0.1% N

Microstructure of AM 350 precipitation hardening stainless steel in the solution annealed condition revealing delta ferrite stringers (hot working axis is horizontal). Etched with aqueous 20% NaOH at 3 V dc, 5 sec. to color the delta ferrite (martensitic matrix).

AM 350

50 m

20 m

Delta ferrite stringers in a martensitic matrix in AM 350 revealed using modified Frys reagent.

AM 350

10 m

Delta ferrite grains in a martensitic matrix observed on a transverse plane in AM 350; modified Frys reagent.

AM 355
Fe 0.12% C 15.5% Cr 4.5% Ni 2.9% Mo 0.1% N

25 m

Reverted austenite in a segregation streak in AM 355 (longitudinal plane) revealed using glyceregia.

15-5PH
Fe - <0.07% C 14.7% Cr 4.5% Ni 3.5% Cu 0.3% Nb

100 m

Delta ferrite darkened using Murakamis reagent (100 C 2 minutes) in an 8-inch rcs billet of 15-5PH (near surface on a transverse plane).

15-5PH

100 m

25 m

1900 F OQ 900 F 1 h, AC

1900 F OQ 925 F 4 h, AC

Martensitic matrix of 15-5PH (delta ferrite stringer present at right) revealed using Vilellas reagent (left) and modified Frys reagent (right).

15-7Mo
Fe - <0.09% C 15% Cr 7% Ni 2.5% Mo 1.2% Al

10 m

10 m

Examples of delta ferrite stringers in a martensitic matrix (longitudinal plane) in 15-7Mo (note voids and cracks associated with the nitrides at left); waterless Kallings reagent.

17-4 PH
Fe - <0.07% C 16.5% Cr 4% Ni 4% Cu 0.3% Nb+Ta

20 m

20 m

Modified Frys Reagent

Marbles Reagent

Revealing the martensitic matrix and delta ferrite in 17-4PH stainless steel with different etchants.

17-4 PH

20 m

20% NaOH, 20 V dc, 20 s

10 N KOH, 2.5 V dc, 10 s

Selective etching of delta ferrite in 17-4PH stainless steel by electrolytic etching.

17-4 PH

Superpicral Revealing the martensite, prior-austenite grain boundaries and delta ferrite in 17-4PH stainless steel.

17-4PH

50 m m 100

100 m

Solution Annealed

Solution Anneal + 900 F Age

Martensitic matrix of 17-4PH (left) solution annealed at 1900 F and oil quenched, and (right) solution annealed at 1900 F and aged at 900 F. Etched with modified Frys reagent.

17-4 PH

100 m

100 m

H1025

H1100

Martensitic structure of 17-4PH solution annealed at 1900 F and aged at 1025 F (left, modified Frys reagent) and at 1100 F (right, Ralphs reagent).

17-4PH

25 m

H1150 Over-aged structure of 17-4PH (1900 F OQ, 1400 F 2 h, AC, 1150 F 4 h, AC) revealed using Ralphs reagent.

17-4PH - Ferrite

Delta ferrite in 17-4PH revealed by etching with Murakamis reagent at 100 C (200X).

17-7PH
Fe - <0.09% C 17% Cr 7.1% Ni 1.25% Al

25 m

10 m

Nitrides (left, as-polished) and delta ferrite stringers (longitudinal plane) in a martensitic matrix of solution annealed and aged 17-7PH; modified Frys reagent.

PH13-8 Mo
Fe - <0.05% C 12.75% Cr 8% Ni 2.25% Mo 1.15% Al - <0.01% N

20 m

Tempered martensite in a fracture toughness test specimen (96.8 ksi in plane-strain fracture toughness) etched with modified Frys reagent.

PH 13-8 Mo

Microstructure of solution annealed and aged PH 13-8 Mo precipitation hardened stainless steel revealing a fully martensitic matrix. Etched with Vilellas reagent. Original at 500X.

PH 13-8 Mo

Microstructure of solution annealed and aged PH 13-8 Mo precipitation hardened stainless steel revealing a fully martensitic matrix. Tint etched with Berahas reagent (20 mL HCl 80 mL water 2 g NH4FHF 1 g K2S2O5). Original at 1000X.

Custom 450
Fe - <0.05% C 15% Cr 6% Ni 0.75% Mo 1.5% Cu + Nb/Ta

25 m

H850 Martensitic matrix of Custom 450 PH stainless steel, H850 condition; Ralphs reagent.

Custom 450

10 m

H1050 Martensitic matrix of Custom 450 in the H1050 temper (4h); modified Frys reagent.

Custom 450

10 m

H1150 Martensitic matrix of Custom 450 in the H1150 temper condition; waterless Kallings reagent.

Custom 455
Fe - <0.05% C 11.75% Cr 8.5% Ni 1.2% Ti 2% Cu 0.3% Nb+Ta

10 m

10 m

H850

H900

Martensitic matrix of Custom 455 in the H850 (left) and H900 (right) condition; modified Frys reagent.

Custom 455

50 m

25 m

1525 F WQ, 950 F 4 h, AC H950

1525 F AC, 1100 F 4 h, AC H1100

Martensitic matrix of Custom 455 in the H950 (left) and H1100 (right) conditions; Ralphs reagent.

Duplex Stainless Steels

AISI 329 (7-Mo)

Fe - <0.1% C - <2% Mn - <1% Si 27.5% Cr 4.5% Ni 1.5% Mo
Bright Field Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast

Microstructure of 7-Mo Duplex Stainless Steel (type 329) in the solution annealed condition. Etched with aqueous 20% NaOH (3 V dc, 10 sec). Originals at 200X. Ferrite is colored and austenite is unaffected. DIC shows very little surface relief and no residual surface damage.

AISI 329 (7-Mo)

Microstructure of 7-Mo Duplex Stainless Steel (type 329) in the solution annealed condition. Etched with LB1 (100 mL water 20 g NH4FHF 0.5g K2S2O5). Original at 1000X. LB1 colors the austenite (note the annealing twins), but not carbides and ferrite.

7-Mo PLUS
Fe - <0.03% C 27.5% Cr 4.5% Ni 1.5% Mo 0.25% N

50 m

50 m

15% HCl in Ethanol

10% CrO3, 6 V dc, 10 s

Ferrite-austenite grain structure of hot-rolled and annealed 7-Mo PLUS duplex stainless steel revealed using (left) 15% HCl in ethanol and (right) 10% CrO3 in water, 6 V dc, 10 s.

7-Mo Plus

50 m

20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10 s Ferrite in 7-Mo PLUS colored using aqueous 20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10 s.

7-Mo PLUS

Microstructure of 7-Mo PLUS duplex stainless steel etched with Berahas reagent (15 mL HCl 85 mL water 1 g K2S2O5). Original at 200X. Ferrite is colored and austenite is unaffected.

7-Mo PLUS

Microstructure of 7-Mo PLUS duplex stainless steel etched with aqueous 20% NaOH (3 V dc, 5 secs which colors the ferritic matrix blue and the austenitic particles a light yellow (normally not colored). Hot working direction is vertical. Austenite: 362 HK; ferrite: 264 HK hardness. Original at 500X.

2205
Fe - <0.03% C - <0.8% Mn 22% Cr 5.25% Ni 3% Mo 0.15% N

Microstructure of 2205 duplex stainless steel in the solution annealed condition. Etched with aqueous 20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 12 sec. To color the ferrite. Austenite is white.

2205

Ferrite colored in 2205 solution annealed at 1200 C revealed using 20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10 s.

CD-4MCu
Fe - <0.04% C 25.8% Cr 5.4% Ni 2% Mo 3% Cu

200 m

100 m

Duplex structure of cast CD-4MCu stainless steel (295 HV); waterless Kallings reagent.

As-Cast ASTM A 890-5A

Fe <0.03% C - <1.5% Mn - <1% Si 25% Cr 7% Ni 4.5% Mo 0.2% N

Microstructure of as-cast ASTM A 890-5A duplex stainless steel in the solution annealed condition. Etched with aqueous 20% NaOH (3 V dc, 10 sec). Original at 100X. Ferrite is colored and austenite is unaffected.

As-Cast ASTM A 890-5A

Microstructure of as-cast ASTM A 890-5A duplex stainless steel in the solution annealed condition. Etched with Murakamis reagent (80 C). Original at 100X. Ferrite is colored and austenite is unaffected.

As-Cast ASTM A 890-5A

Microstructure of as-cast ASTM A 890-5A duplex stainless steel in the solution annealed condition. Etched with LB1 (100 mL water 20 g NH4FHF 0.5g K2S2O5). Original at 100X. Austenite is colored and ferrite is unaffected. Because it is as-cast, the are no annealing twins in the austenite.

ASTM A 890 Grade 5A

200 m 100 mL H2O 10g NaOH 10g K3Fe(CN)6 90s

200 m 100 mL H2O 20g NaOH 20g K3Fe(CN)6 50s

Influence of etch composition on etch time at 100 C with standard Murakamis (left) and modified Murakamis (right) to reveal the ferrite phase.

ASTM A 890 Grade 5A

200 m

100 mL H2O 30g NaOH 30g K3Fe(CN)6 10s

Etching for only 10 s at 100 C with this version of modified Murakamis reagent colored the ferrite in only 10 s.

As-Cast ASTM A 890-4A

Fe - <0.03% C 22.25% Cr 5.5% Ni 3% Mo <1% Cu 0.2% N

100 m

100 m

20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10s

Murakamis, boiling

Ferrite colored in ASTM A 890-4A using (left) 20% NaOH, 3 V dc, 10 s and (right) with Murakamis, 90-100 C, 120 s.

As-Cast CD3MN
Fe - <0.03% C 22.25% Cr 5.5% Ni 3% Mo 0.2% N

As-cast CD3MN duplex stainless steel aged 30 days at 800 C after etching with Murakamis reagent for 40 s at 90 C to color the ferrite tan. Austenite is white. The intermetallic phases are sigma and chi phases.

Weldments and Structures Affect of Thermal Exposure

AISI 312 Weld Metal

Fe 0.1% C 1.3% Mn 0.6% Si 29% Cr 9% Ni

Room Temperature - Carbides

100 C 3 minutes Delta Ferrite

Murakamis reagent reveals carbides (left) when used at room temperature and delta ferrite (right) when used at 80 100 C.

AISI 312

Sigma phase formed in a type 312 stainless steel weld (from the delta ferrite phase) by aging at 816 C for 160 h. Sigma was colored green and orange by etching with Murakamis reagent (10 g sodium hydroxide, 10 g potassium ferricyanide, 100 mL water) for 60 s at 80 C. The magnification bar is 20 m in length.

7-Mo PLUS
Fe - <0.1% C 27.5% Cr 4.5% Ni 1.5% Mo

10 m

Microstructure of wrought 7-Mo duplex stainless steel solution annealed and aged 48 h at 816 C to form sigma. Electrolytic etching with aqueous 20% NaOH (3 V dc, 10 s) revealed the ferrite as tan, the sigma orange, while the austenite was not colored. The arrows point to new austenite produced as ferrite is consumed forming sigma.

SCF-23
Fe 0.02% C 4.27% Mn 22.43% Cr 17.78% Ni 5.54% Mo 0.40% N

20 m

10 m

Chi phase formed in solution annealed SCF-23 aged at 1800 F for 24 h; etched in 15 mL HCl 10 mL HNO3 10 mL acetic acid.

SCF-23

20 m

Microstructure of SCF-23 stainless steel in the solution annealed condition after aging 48 h at 927 C) forming chi phase in the grain boundaries and within the grains. The chi particles were colored using Murakamis reagent (10 g sodium hydroxide, 10 g potassium ferricyanide, 100 mL water at 80 C for 30 s).

Boronated Stainless Steels

P/M Neutro Sorb PLUS (304 + 2% B)

Fe - <0.08% C 19% Cr 13.5% Ni - <0.1% N + B to 2.25%

50 m

As-cast microstructure of Neutro Sorb PLUS (2% B) tint etched with Berahas reagent (10% HCl plus 1 g/100 mL potassium metabisulfite) to color the austenite. The chromium boride, Cr2B, is unaffected.

P/M Neutro Sorb PLUS - 1.75% B

Microstructure of wrought, solution annealed P/M Neutro Sorb PLUS stainless steel with 1.75% B showing chromium boride particles, Cr2B, in an austenitic matrix after light etching with Kallings No. 2 reagent. Original at 1000X.