Atomic resolution imaging of precipitate transformation from cubic TaN to tetragonal CrTaN

In 9-12% Cr creep-resistant steels Cr(V,Nb,Ta)N Z-phase is known to replace metastable (V,Nb,Ta)N MN precipitates at high temperatures. The precipitation process of Z-phase does not follow the classical nucleation theory, where dissolving MN particles provide constituents for Z-phase nucleation in the matrix. Using atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy, the current work demonstrates that metastable cubic TaN precipitates in a complex steel gradually transform compositionally and crystallographically into stable tetragonal CrTaN precipitates under the influence of Cr indiffusion from the steel matrix. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.