The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-resistant ferritic–martensitic steel EK-181

Abstract The features of carbide subsystem of EK-181 steel after different heat treatments were investigated. The heat treatments were identified that reduce the density of coarse carbides M23C6, increase the density of nanoparticles V(CN) and provide higher values of short-term high-temperature tensile strength. The possibility of increasing the strength of EK-181 steel by choosing appropriated thermal treatments providing high efficiency of dispersion hardening are discussed.