Influence of chemical composition and processing on improvement of cryogenic temperature toughness and strength in Ni steel: A review

In response to the rising demand for the storage and transportation of gases at cryogenic temperatures, extensive studies have been conducted, with over 100 research papers. These structural materials must exhibit outstanding mechanical properties, including high toughness and impressive strength, to ensure reliable performance in extremely low-temperature conditions, which can significantly alter material behavior. The role of composition, heat treatment processing, and microstructures on mechanical properties have been correlated with the cryogenic toughness. The retained austenite stabilization mechanism during heat treatment and the role of retained austenite on toughness are critically reviewed. There are numerous conflicting reports and significant advancements in cryogenic toughness while maintaining the high strength of nickel steels. The present study extensively reviewed all the major studies reported on cryogenic toughness in Ni steels and finally provided future directions in this area.