Effect of deformation on precipitation hardening behavior of a maraging steel in the aging process

Abstract The effect of deformation on precipitation hardening behavior of a 2.8 GPa grade maraging steel was studied. The hardness test showed, plastic deformation promoted an earlier peak aging time and a higher peak hardness. By employing Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) analysis, nano-size precipitates formed during the aging process were identified as Ni 3 (Ti,Mo). The increased density of Ni 3 (Ti,Mo) precipitates was attributed as the main reason for the hardness enhancement after plastic deformation.