Effect of thermal cycling on the mechanical properties of 350-grade maraging steel

The effects of retained austenite produced by thermal cycling on the mechanical properties of a precipitation-hardened 350-grade commercial maraging steel were examined. The presence of retained austenite caused decreases in the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and effected a significant increase in the tensile ductility. Increased impact toughness was also produced by this treatment. The mechanical stability of retained austenite was evaluated by tension and impact tests at subambient temperatures. A deformation-induced transformation of the austenite was manifested as load drops on the load-elongation plots at subzero temperatures. This transformation imparts excellent low-temperature ductility to the material. A wide range of strength, ductility, and toughness can be obtained by subjecting the steel to thermal cycling before the precipitation-hardening treatment.