Secondary precipitation of Cr-rich carbides in heat resistant austenitic stainless steels has
been investigated both experimentally and using finite element simulations. The
microstructural evolutions in two commercial grades were characterized using electron
microscopy. A special emphasis was given on the peculiar spatial distribution of M 23 C 6
secondary carbides exhibiting precipitate free zones surrounding primary carbides, and high
density precipitate zones extending with longer aging times. Solidification induced chemical …