Tantalum and niobium based Z-phase in a Z-phase strengthened 12% Cr steel

Higher steam temperature in steam power plants increases their thermal efficiency. Thus there is a strong demand for new materials with better creep and corrosion resistance at higher temperatures, while retaining the thermal flexibility of martensitic steels. Z-phase strengthened 12% Cr steels have been developed to meet the 923 K (650 degrees C) challenge in these power plants. Ta, Nb, or V forms Z-phase together with Cr and N. A new trial steel was produced based on combining Ta and Nb to form Z-phase. It was shown that Z-phase was formed with a composition corresponding to Crl+x(Nb,Ta)(l+x)N. The Nb/Ta ratio in Z-phase precipitates was higher than that in MX precipitates. Z-phase precipitates based on Ta and Nb were coarser than precipitates in a similar trial steel based on Ta alone