Abstract
The influences of solidification rates and carbon contents on the formation of the $\delta$-ferrite were studied by directional solidification in modified 12%Cr-l %Mo steels. Directional solidification experimental results showed that solidification microstructure depended on solidification rate and carbon content and chromium equivalent. The length of the mushy zone increased and the dendrite arm spacings decreased as the solidification rate increased. The volume fraction of the 8-ferrite decreased with increasing the solidification rate and carbon content. The volume fraction of the ferrite showed much higher at low solidification rates with planar and cellular interfaces than that at high solidification rates with dendritic interface. It is expected that macro-segregation of C causes lower C content at the lower solidification fraction in the directionally solidified sample, where lower C results in higher volume fraction of the ferrite. In order to estimate solidification microstructure in modified 12Cr-l%Mo steels, various solidification conditions, such as solidification rate, cooling rate, segregation, alloy composition, should be considered.