The role of texture in the processes of aging and delayed fracture of maraging steel

Processes of aging of maraging steel 03N18K3M3T from commercial heats are i nvestigated. Dilatometric, x-ray diffraction, and fractographic studies and tests for corrosion strength and delayed fracture (DF) are described. It i s shown that after quenching from 820 degreesC and aging at 400 degreesC a DF crack propagates in the studied steel over grain boundaries at a high sp eed, which causes brittle fracture. The corrosion rate of the steel after s uch a treatment is also high. X-ray diffraction analysis has shown the pres ence of a strong and virtually single-component texture in martensite, whic h is preserved after forging, prior high-temperature quenching, and base qu enching from 820 degreesC.