dacapo │ stainless

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Schaeffler diagram
Application of the Schaeffler diagram

Schaeffler-diagram

30
28
0% Ferrite
26
5%
24
Austenite
22
10%
20
Equivalent Nickel = %Ni + 30 x %C + 0,5 x %Mn

18 20%
16
A+M 40%
14

12
80%
10
Martensite
8
A+M+F 100%
6

4 F
M+F Ferrite
2 +
M
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Equivalent Chrome = %Cr + %Mo + 1,5%Si + 0,5%Nb + 2% Ti

A Schaeffler diagram can be used to represent the effect of the proportion of two elements (and therefore
The Schaeffler diagram is an important tool for predicting the constitution of your stainless steel
the composition of the alloy) on the structure obtained after rapid cooling from 1050°C to room temperature.
weld deposit. Depending on the alloying elements it contains, the Schaeffler diagram provides
The figure shows that chromium is a ferrite stabilizer and nickel is an austenite stabiliser.
information on the various phases (structures) present.
This diagram shows the limits of the austenitic, ferritic and martensitic phases in relation to the chromium
and nickel equivalent, calculated by using these expressions:
The chromium equivalent is calculated from the weight percentage of ferrite-forming elements
• Cr equivalent = (Cr)+2(Si)+1.5(Mo)+5(V)+5.5(Al)+1.75(Nb)+1.5(Ti)+0.75(W)
(Cr, Si, Mo, Nb, W) and the nickel equivalent is calculated from the weight percentage of auste-
• Ni equivalent = (Ni)+(Co)+0.5(Mn)+0.3(Cu)+25(N)+30(C)
nite-forming elements (C, Ni, Mn, Cu, N). The position in the Schaeffler diagram defined by the
with all concentrations being expressed in weight percentages.
Cr- and Ni-equivalents gives the proportions of martensite, austenite and ferrite in the resulting
The Schaeffler diagram is an important tool for predicting the constitution of austenitic Cr-Ni steel welds with
microstructure.
carbon contents up to 0.12%. However, it does not allow determination of the composition and volume
of the carbide phase. Furthermore, for a carbon content lower than 0.12%, the agreement of
Other constitution diagrams (e.g. Delong, WRC-1992) exist, and are preferred by many workers.
predictions with actual system is reduced due to consumption of carbon by the carbide formation process.
They work in the same way, but give different weightings to the effect of the various elements.
This Schaeffler diagram is especially suited to weld metals in order to predict the structure.

- 18.01 -
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