NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR May 12: Tailoring the microstructure of 9Cr Ferritic‑Martensitic Steels for high temperature applications

NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR

online: https://meet.goto.com/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar
In-person: NOMATEN seminar room (102)

Tuesday, May 12^th  2026 13:00 PM (CET)

Tailoring the microstructure of 9Cr Ferritic‑Martensitic Steels for high temperature applications

David San‑Martín, PhD
National Centre for Metallurgical Research (CENIM‑CSIC), Madrid, Spain

Abstract:

Electricity generation remains a cornerstone of modern society, sustained by both conventional fossil‑fuel‑based systems and an increasingly significant contribution from renewable energy sources. Achieving global climate‑mitigation targets requires substantial reductions in CO₂ emissions, a goal closely tied to enhancing the efficiency of power plants by operating at progressively higher temperatures. Advanced 9%Cr ferritic-martensitic steels, while limited at the upper end of current operating temperatures (620 °C; targeting 650 °C for AUSC-PP), continue to play a critical role in enabling these conditions in specific components due to their excellent creep resistance and moderate oxidation performance.

This seminar will present ongoing research conducted at the National Centre for Metallurgical Research (CENIM‑CSIC, Spain), where efforts over the past decade have focused on designing novel 9Cr‑based alloys and applying tailored thermomechanical treatments to enhance existing commercial grades, such as G91 steel. These treatments are primarily aimed at increasing the number density of MX‑type nano‑precipitates and reducing their size, thereby improving long‑term creep strength. Extensive microstructural characterization has been carried out using SEM, EBSD, TEM, and atom probe microscopy, while creep behavior has been systematically evaluated through small punch creep tests.

Finally, the presentation will also provide a brief introduction of ongoing projects including current investigations into the use of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to produce defect‑free G91 steel components and on the design/characterization of novel alumina‑forming martensitic steels.


 

Bio:

David San‑Martín is a Senior Scientist at the National Centre for Metallurgical Research (CENIM‑CSIC, Madrid, Spain). He holds a degree in Physics and a PhD in Materials Science, and has developed more than 25 years of research experience in physical metallurgy of steels and HEAs. His work focuses on the design and optimization of thermomechanical processing routes, the study of solid‑state phase transformations, and the microstructural and mechanical characterization of advanced steels and HEAs. His research spans high‑strength automotive and tool steels, austenitic and martensitic stainless steels, ferritic‑martensitic steels for high‑temperature power‑generation environments. In recent years, he has also established a significant research activity on high‑entropy alloys (HEAs) for extreme service conditions, with emphasis on nuclear applications. His investigations cover both conventionally processed alloys and materials produced by laser‑based additive manufacturing technologies (LPBF and L‑DED). For additional detailed information the reader is refer to Scopus, ORCID, Google Scholar or Researchgate.