The Effect of Microstructural Evolution on Hardening Behavior of 2205 Stainless Steel in Long-Term Aging at 500 °C

The effect of microstructural evolution on hardening behavior of 2205 stainless steel in long-term aging at 500 °C was studied by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the hardness of ferrite phase in matrix steadily increased with the aging time at the first stage of 4 months, presented a peak of hardness at about 5 months, and showed a downward trend for the aging time from 6 to 8 months, while the hardness of the austenitic phase remained constant. Analysis showed that the iron-rich α phase and the Cr-rich α′ phase generated by spinodal decomposition, Cr2N precipitations, and Fe2Mn (R-phase) were the main reasons for the generation of peak in hardness of ferrite phase. Further studies showed that some dislocation structure (changing with the aging time) in δ-ferrite of matrix is related to the microstructural evolution.