Selection of quenching conditions for the KhN56MBYuD alloy of electroslag remelting

1. Heating the KhN56MBYuD alloy before quenching at 980–1180°C for 0.5–2 h helps dissolve the eutectic, increase the volume fraction of the sulfide (compared to the as-received state), coagulate the carbonitride, and significantly grow the grains of the γ solid solution. 2. The most homogeneous structure with a low content of nonmetallic inclusions, uniform distribution of the carbonitride, and grain size of the γ solid solution of less than 600 μm were found in the KhN56MBYuD (ESM) alloy after holding at 1130°C for 2 h. 3. The short-term mechanical properties of a cast, tubular billet after heat treatment under the optimum conditions are a little bit higher than the properties obtained in hot-deformed rods. This leads us to recommend the KhN56MBYuD alloy for cast massive objects which are not possible to produce by hot-deformation techniques.