Creep and rupture in Type 316 stainless steel at temperatures between 525 and 900°C Part III: Precipitation behaviour

The precipitation in the heavily deformed gauge portions and the undeformed heads of initially solution-treated Type 316 austenitic stainless steel specimens tested in creep-rupture at temperatures in the range 525 to 900°C has been examined using a range of metallographic techniques. M23C6 carbide precipitation occurred very rapidly whereas the intermetallic phases precipitated after much longer times over the range of temperatures investigated. Concurrent creep straining significantly increased the rate of both the carbide and intermetallic phase precipitation. The present results confirm the previous understanding of the precipitation in this steel including the effects of some compositional and thermomechanical variables.