Structure property correlations in hot isostatically pressed AISI-304 stainless steel

Abstract

Stainless steel components are usually fabricated by conventional manufacturing methods. This route becomes uneconomical for highly intricate shapes. Therefore, processing of AISI-304 stainless steel has been carried out by powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) route. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the hipped steel produced from inert gas atomised powder were studied. The steel has shown a homogeneous and fine grained microstructure containing annealing twins and the absence of undesirable prior particle boundaries. This has led to higher yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and the ductility than that of the conventionally processed steel. The tensile deformation behaviour of hipped steel was found to be similar to that of the wrought material. Impact strength and fracture toughness of the hipped steel were superior to that of the wrought material; hence the hipped steel could be recommended for manufacture of components for critical applications.