Steels with 10 to 17% Chromium, low Carbon and Nickel content result in a microstructure of tough martensite and achieve strengths of up to 1700 MPa by alloying with Copper or Aluminium with simple low distortion and hardening treatment. Preferred areas of application under corrosive environments are aerospace, the oil and gas industry and measurement and control technology.
This special subgroup of martensitic stainless steels, the soft martensitic and precipitation-hardenable stainless steels (supermartensites) achieve the martensitic microstructure via higher Ni contents with simultaneously low C and N contents. This is associated with higher toughness, better weldability and, due to lower binding of Cr by C, also higher corrosion resistance. Alloying elements such as Cu, Ti and Al are used to achieve precipitation-hardenable alloy systems (PH steels) and increase strength through the precipitation of intermetallic phases from the martensite in the course of a simple, low-dimensional heat treatment. Common applications for such steels are in mechanical engineering, e.g. fastening elements, shafts, springs, gears and lightweight construction, e.g. in the aerospace industry.
BÖHLER N700 is a high-quality corrosion-resistant steel in aerospace quality, in the form of bars, wire and forgings with a diameter/thickness of up to 203 mm in the solution-annealed condition, as well as starting material of any size for forging purposes. It is a martensitic, precipitation-hardenable chromium-nickel-copper steel with high strength and toughness. Further increases in strength can be achieved by cold forming and subsequent precipitation hardening. These products are typically used for parts requiring corrosion resistance and high strength up to 316°C. However, their use is not limited to such applications. However, use is not limited to such applications. Certain processing methods and operating conditions can cause these products to become susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. For applications such as bolting where stress corrosion cracking is possible, the product should be aged for a minimum of 4 hours at the highest temperature compatible with the strength requirements, but in no case lower than 552°C.
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