Multi-experimental study of micro-structural and mechanical consequences of thermal cycles applied to a martensitic stainless steel « APX4 »

2010

The Direction des Applications Militaires at the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique, a French government-funded technological research organisation, selected a low carbon chromium rich martensitic stainless steel (APX4) to manufacture components with high yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. As such, this thesis is developed around three main axes. Firstly, the thesis summarizes the existing bibliography on this steel as well as its neighboring nuances. Secondly, it engages in a precise characterization of the material that is currently used for industrial manufacturing. Finally, this highly experimental work undertakes to observe and interpret the micro-structural and mechanical co…