Microstructural Analysis of Co-Free Maraging Steel Aged

ABSTRACT: Maraging steels have low carbon content and are highly alloyed, having as main feature the ability to increase the mechanical strength after thermal aging. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze the effect of aging in a Co-free maraging steel, Fe - 0.014% C - 0.3% Mn - 3.9% Mo - 2.1% Cu - 0.19% Si - 11.8% Cr - 9.1% Ni - 1.0% Ti (wt), at different heat treatment times (10 min - 960 min) at constant temperature (550°C), after cold rolling up to 66% and 77% area reduction. Microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM - EDS) and mechanical properties by Vickers hardness measurements. The results showed a significant increase in the hardness of the material after aging heat treatment on the solution treated and deformed samples. The aging heat treatment which was harder about 650 HV was 550°C/60 min.