Performance degradation of 2.25Cr1Mo steel served in hydrogenation reactor

The mechanical properties of original and hanging over hydrogenation reactor 2.25Cr1Mo steel were investigated in order to analyze the material degradation. The microstructure and fracture morphology of original and in-service alloy were observed by metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the 120000h hanging time leads to obvious performance degradation. The ductile to brittle transition temperature of 2.25Cr1Mo steel increases. A number of cracks appear at the grain boundary and carbides. Carbides tend to chain distribution and coarsening which results in grain boundary weakness. The decrease of matrix alloying elements content causes grain boundary segregation of phosphorus and lower tempering resistance.