High-temperature thermophysical properties of 18Cr–9Ni–2.95Cu–0.58Nb–0.1C (mass%) austenitic stainless steel

This paper presents the results of a study on high-temperature thermophysical properties of an indigenously developed 18Cr–9Ni–2.95Cu–0.58Nb–0.1C (mass%) austenitic stainless steel. The temperature-induced phase evolution under equilibrium conditions has been theoretically simulated using Thermocalc. Accurate estimates of enthalpy, bulk thermal expansion and thermal diffusivity have been obtained as a function of temperature, using drop calorimetry; dilatometry; and laser flash transient thermal diffusivity techniques, respectively. The experimental measurements were subject to robust analytical treatment to obtain specific heat, linear thermal expansion coefficient, density and thermal conductivity, in the temperature range of 298–1273 K. A comparative analysis of the experimental data obtained in this study with the reported values for other 300-series of austenitic stainless steels has also been carried out. In addition, a quasiharmonic Debye–Grüneisen modeling of thermal properties has also been attempted.