XRD Analysis of Carbide Phase in Heat Resistant Steels

Abstract

In this article we have demonstrated the possibility to perform a quick and rather complete estimation of carbide phase
evolution in power plant steels using X-ray diffraction. The distribution of alloying elements in the pipeline steels after
long-time operation was examined. This important factor of steel’s obsolescence and properties change was measured by
identifying carbide phases from the XRD powder patterns. The accomplished XRD analysis of the carbide phases allows
to state that only steel 12Х1MФ exploited for 1.42·105 hours and partly steel 12X1MФ exploited for 1.51·105 hours meet
the requirements of exploitation structure. However for the rest steels, the regenerative heat treatment should be
projected. Additionally we have shown the possibility to do the regenerative heat treatment for our examined steels and
the changes of carbide phases in these steles have been analyzed.