Influence of different soaking times at 1050 °c on the ut response due to microstructure evolution of 2205 duplex stainless steel

Under standard conditions, DSS (duplex stainless steel) features differing amounts of ferrite and austenite, essentially depending on the thermal treatment performed. This study is focused on the ultrasonic tests (UTs) response of DSS 2205, as a function of the microstructure, in terms of austenite volume fraction and austenitic grains evolution owing to different soaking times at 1050 °C. UTs were carried out on several samples. The samples underwent varying thermal treatments characterized by a constant maintenance temperature with different soaking times that allowed for microstructure evolution and modification of the structural constituents’ fraction. The UTs have highlighted an attenuation trend with the response mainly dependent upon the wave scattering and energy absorption caused by the grain features. In particular, the peak of sound attenuation was shown to correspond with the microstructure, which featured a major amount of austenite (in terms of volume fraction and the grain dimensions) and the disappearance of austenitic precipitates within the ferritic matrix. In order to obtain less UT attenuation, without affecting the mechanical and corrosion properties, the soaking should last as little time as possible.