Change of M₂₃C₆ Particles Size and Spacing by Tempering a High-Chromium Creep Resistant Steel at 800–550 °C

The change of the number of M₂₃C₆ particles intercepting mobile dislocations by creep of high-chromium creep resistant steel is deduced. With tempering at 800 °C, the number of intercept particles decreases slower than the total number of particles. The dissolution velocity of particles is greater by smaller particles. By tempering at 550 °C and higher, the dissolution of small particles increases the intercept particles spacing and the creep rate for about 1 order of magnitude stronger than the increase of average particles size.