Study on hot deformation behaviour of 316LN austenitic stainless steel based on hot processing map

Abstract

316LN is a type of austenitic stainless steel whose grain refinement only depends on hot deformation. The true stress–strain curves of 316LN were obtained by means of hot compression experiments conducted at a temperature range of 900–1200°C and at a strain rate range of 0·001–10 s^?1. The influence of deformation parameters on the microstructure of 316LN was analysed. Both the constitutive equation for 316LN and the model of grain size after dynamic recrystallisation were established, and the effect of different deformation conditions on the microstructure was analysed. The results show that the suitable working region is the one with a relatively higher deformation temperature and a lower strain rate, in which the dynamic recrystallisation is finely conducted. Moreover, the working region that should be avoided during hot deformation was indicated.     

Computer modelling of phase diagrams

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the tensile behaviour between 20 and 600°C of two ultrahigh boron steels (Fe–2·2B and Fe–4·9B), consolidated by hot isostatic pressing at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1100°C. Tensile tests showed plastic deformation only in the Fe–2·2B alloy. A decrease in yield and ultimate tensile stresses occurred when the consolidation temperature was increased. This was accompanied by an increase in the elongation to failure. This alloy satisfies the Hall–Petch relation for all testing temperatures. The slope of the yield stress versus d^?1/2 curve (d is grain size) decreases as the temperature increases, indicating that the mechanism controlling plastic deformation becomes independent of grain size at high testing temperatures. The fracture mode observed was brittle at room temperature and ductile, shown by the presence of dimples, at temperatures above 400°C.

MST/2050     

Effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ITER-grade 316LN austenitic stainless steel weldments

The effect of postweld heat treatment (PWHT) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ITER-grade 316LN austenitic stainless steel joints with ER316LMn filler material was investigated. PWHT aging was performed for 1 h at four different temperatures of 600 °C, 760 °C, 870 °C and 920 °C, respectively. The microstructure revealed the sigma phase precipitation occurred in the weld metals heat-treated at the temperature of 870 °C and 920 °C. The PWHT temperatures have the less effect on the tensile strength, and the maximum tensile strength of the joints is about 630 MPa, reaching the 95% of the base metal, whereas the elongation is enhanced with the rise of PWHT temperatures. Meanwhile, the sigma phase precipitation in the weld metals reduces the impact toughness.     

HIGH TEMPERATURE FATIGUE DAMAGE IN THREE AUSTENITIC ALLOYS

Abstract— A series of cyclic strain controlled tests have been carried out at 600°C on three high temperature austenitic iron-based alloys. These alloys were AISI type 316 stainless steel, Alloy 800 H and Sandvik 253 MA. The tests were carried out under constant total strain control using a constant strain rate of 0.005 s⁻'. Damage mechanics was applied to the results in order to follow the accumulation of damage. By consideiing the changes in modulus throughout the life of each specimen it was found that damage evolution could be successfully predicted as a function of plastic strain range despite the fact that each alloy had been chosen because of a different stress response at 600°C, namely cyclic saturation, hardening, and softening followed by hardening for the AISI 316, 253 MA and Alloy 800 H respectively. Although each alloy accumulated fatigue damage in a similar manner the longer lives of Sandvik 253 MA and Alloy 800 H at a given total strain range were due to a smaller plastic strain component and a reduced stage I crack propagation rate. In the 253 MA alloy. slip was predominantly planar with some cells occasionally forming at high strain ranges. Slip was localized in Alloy 800 H due to the shearing of small γ precipitates. In the AISI 316 stainless steel, dislocation cells formed at all strain ranges. It is concluded that all these alloys accumulate damage similarly, independent of their deformation behaviour.     

Hall-Petch behaviour of 316L austenitic stainless steel at elevated temperatures

Abstract

The plastic deformation behaviour of two different batches (having differences in chemical composition) of 316L austenitic stainless steel has been explored in the 200-800°C temperature range as a function of grain size. The plastic behaviour is correlated with microstructural observations of annealed and deformed samples. The microstructural parameters measured in this study are grain size, grain size and shape distribution, grain aspect ratio, and the distribution of dihedral angles. Hardness measurements were also performed to assess the hardness profile across the grains. The applicability of Hall-Petch relationship was tested in the 200-800°C temperature range. It is observed that the Hall-Petch relationship is applicable in the coarse grain regime (d≥6 μm) and Kocks composite relationship (σ versus d^-1) in the fine grain regime (d≤6 μm) of batch 1 samples in the 200-600^°C temperature range. At 800°C, the Hall-Petch data is widely scattered and the scatter increases with increasing strain. The variation of Hall-Petch parameters and Kocks parameters with strain and temperature are analysed on the basis of changes in the microstructural parameters. The operating deformation mechanisms in different temperature and strain ranges are discussed on the basis of variation of microstructural parameters with strain and temperature.     

Mechanical property under high dynamic loading and microstructure evaluation of a TiB2 particle-reinforced stainless steel

The incorporation of low density, high modulus ceramic particles into a steel matrix is a potential route to improve the mechanical performance of steels. A powder metallurgy, mechanical blending route has been adopted to produce a homogeneous distribution of TiB2 particles in a 316L stainless steel matrix. The resulting composite showed large increases in both the compression and the tensile strength when compared to the unreinforced alloy. The compression strength was measured under both quasistatic and dynamic conditions. Tensile strength was measured only under quasistatic conditions. Dynamic compression tests were performed at temperatures of 200 and 400 °C. Metallographic investigations have been performed on the specimen in the initial status and after a deformation. Fracture surfaces were studied in a scanning electron microscope to allow more detailed assessment of fracture mechanisms.     

Microstructural changes in austenitic stainless steels during long-term aging

Abstract

The microstructural changes, precipitation behaviour, and mechanical properties of typical austenitic stainless steels (304 H, 316 H, 321 H, 347 H, and Tempaloy A–1) have been examined after long-term aging. The steels were aged statically in the temperature range 600–800°C for up to 50000 h. The microstructural changes were observed by optical and transmission electron microscopy, and the extracted residue was identified using X-ray analysis. Time–temperature precipitation diagrams were made for each steel. The amount of σ-phase was measured in samples aged at 700°C. The hardness and impact-value changes, and the tensile properties of aged samples were measured.

MST/358     

Effect of brazing temperature on the microstructure of martensitic–austenitic steel joints

Dissimilar joining of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steel to AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel is carried out by brazing in inert atmosphere at three different temperatures, i.e. 980, 1020 and 1040°C using AWS BNi-2 powder. The braze joints are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-hardness measurement. With increasing brazing temperature from 980 to 1040°C, the approximate width of the braze layer decreases from 350 to 80?µm and hardness reduces from 600 to 410?VHN. However, not much difference is found in microstructure and hardness between braze joints produced at 1020 and 1040°C. With increasing brazing temperature, morphology and volume fraction of intermetallics formed in the braze layer change, thereby reducing the hardness variation between the braze layer and the base metal.     

Plastic deformation and fracture behaviors of nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steels

The plastic deformation and fracture behaviors of two nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steels, 316LN and a high nitrogen steel (Fe–Cr–Mn–0.66% N), were investigated by tensile test and Charpy impact test in a temperature range from 77 to 293 K. The Fe–Cr–Mn–N steel showed ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT) behavior, but not for the 316LN steel. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the strain-induced martensite occurred in the 316LN steel, but no such transformation in the Fe–Cr–Mn–N steel. Tensile tests showed that the temperature dependences of the yield strength for the two steels were almost the same. The ultimate tensile strength of the Fe–Cr–Mn–N steel displayed less significant temperature dependence than that of the 316LN steel. The strain-hardening exponent increased for the 316LN steel, but decreased for the Fe–Cr–Mn–N steel, with decreasing temperature. Based on the experimental results and the analyses, a modified scheme was proposed to explain the fracture behaviors of austenitic stainless steels.     

Tensile properties and fracture behaviour of an ultrafine grained Ti–47Al–2Cr (at.%) alloy at room and elevated temperatures

An ultrafine grained (UFG) Ti–47Al–2Cr (at.%) alloy has been synthesized using a combination of high energy mechanical milling and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) of a Ti/Al/Cr composite powder compact. The material produced has been tensile tested at room temperature, 700 and 800 °C, respectively, and the microstructure of the as-HIPed material and the microstructure and fracture surfaces of the tensile tested specimens have been examined using X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The alloy shows no ductility during tensile testing at room temperature and 700 °C, respectively, but very high ductility (elongation to fracture 70–100%) when tensile tested 800 °C, indicating that its brittle to ductile transition temperature (BDTT) falls within the temperature range of 700–800 °C. The retaining of ultrafine fine equiaxed grain morphology after the large amount of plastic deformation of the specimens tensile tested at 800 °C and the clear morphology of individual grains in the fractured surface indicate that grain boundary sliding is the predominant deformation mechanism of plastic deformation of the UFG TiAl based alloy at 800 °C. Cavitation occurs at locations fairly uniformly distributed throughout the gauge length sections of the specimens tensile tested at 800 °C, again supporting the postulation that grain boundary sliding is the dominant mechanism of the plastic deformation of the UFG TiAl alloys at temperatures above their BDTT. The high ductility of the UFG alloy at 800 °C and its fairly low BDTT indicates that the material a highly favourable precursor for secondary thermomechanical processing.     

SiC coatings for first-wall candidate materials by R.F. sputtering

The r.f. sputtering technique was applied to form SiC coating films on first-wall candidate materials such as molybdenum, stainless steel and pyrolytic carbon at various temperatures. The coating films were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and roughness factor (RF) measurements. It was found that the coating films consisted of α-SiC and grew at relatively low temperatures, namely 300 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C on molybdenum, 304 stainless steel and pyrolytic carbon surfaces, respectively. The surfaces of α-SiC films grown above these temperatures were relatively smooth with small RFs in comparison with those prepared at lower temperatures. Lower temperature deposition gave rise to amorphous and rough coating films with considerably larger RFs.     

Hot deformation behavior of a Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel

A Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel was compressed in the temperature range 900–1200 °C and strain rate range 0.01–10 s^?1. The mechanical behavior has been characterized using stress–strain curve analysis, kinetic analysis, processing maps, etc. The microstructural evolution was observed and the mechanism of flow instability was discussed. It was found that the work hardening rate and flow stress decreased with increasing deformation temperature and decreasing strain rate. On the contrary, the efficiency of power dissipation increased with them; Flow instability was manifested as cracking and flow localization; The hot deformation equation and the relationships between deformation condition and dynamic recrystallization grain size and fraction were obtained; For Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel, the favorite nucleation sites for dynamic recrystallization are in sequence of triple point, grain boundary, twin boundary and intragranular deformation band; The suggested processing window is given.     

Metallurgical changes and mechanical behaviour during high temperature aging of welds between Alloy 800 and 316LN austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

In the use of ferritic to austenitic stainless steel transition joints for power plant applications, the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion constitutes a serious problem. One way to mitigate this is to use a trimetallic configuration by interposing a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate between the ferritic and austenitic steels. Modified 9Cr - 1Mo steel has been joined to 316LN austenitic stainless steel using Alloy 800 as an intermediate piece. In the work herein reported, welds between Alloy 800 and 316LN have been produced using Inconel 182 filler material. These have been subjected to high temperature exposure for up to 5000 h at 625 ° C. Results have shown that up to 500 h of aging the structure and mechanical properties remain unaffected. On treatment for 2000 and 5000 h, however, there is a noticeable increase in hardness and reduction in toughness. These have been found to be caused by precipitation of Ni₃Ti and carbide phases including NbC and M₂₃C₆.     

Effect of microstructure and low cycle fatigue deformation on tensile properties of P91 steel

Isothermal furnace heat treatments were carried out to simulate the microstructures of inter-critical, fine grain and coarse grain heat-affected zones of P91 steel weld joint at different soaking temperatures ranging from just above AC₁ (837 °C) to well above AC₃ (903 °C). Interrupted low cycle fatigue tests were performed on the specimens of P91 steel up to 5 %, 10 %, 30 %, and 50 % of the total fatigue life at the strain amplitude of ±0.6 %, strain rate of 0.003 s⁻¹ and temperatures of 550 °C and 600 °C. Subsequently, tensile tests were conducted on the interrupt tested specimens at the same strain rate and temperatures. Soaking at the inter-critical temperature region reduces / deteriorates the tensile and yield strengths of base metal compared to fine grain and coarse grain regions. The inter-critical heat-affected zone accounted higher damage contribution towards the overall tensile behavior of the actual P91 steel weld joint. Substructural coarsening during strain cycling at elevated temperatures attributes to the rapid reduction in the initial yield strength up to 10 % of fatigue life of P91 steel. A higher amount of plastic strain accumulation during low cycle fatigue deformation resulted in a decrease in fatigue life of the inter-critical heat-affected zone of P91 steel.     

Structural characteristics of low temperature plasma carburised austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

A low temperature plasma carburising process has recently been developed to engineer the surfaces of austenitic stainless steels to achieve combined improvements in wear and corrosion resistance. The present paper discusses the structural characteristics of the carburised layers produced on AISI type 316 steel at temperatures between 400 and 600°C. It was found that at low temperatures (<520°C), the carburised layers produced were precipitation free and comprised a single phase, which had a face centred cubic structure and was identified as expanded austenite owing to the supersaturation of carbon in austenite. The carburised layer was in a deformed and distorted state. High densities of twins, stacking faults, and dislocations were found in the expanded austenite. The degree of lattice expansion was estimated and was found to vary with processing temperature and depth in the layer. Precipitation of carbides (mainly Cr₇ C₃ ) occurred when the carburising temperature was relatively high (for example 550 and 600°C). In addition, stress induced martensite was found, particularly in the carburised layers produced at relatively high temperatures.     

Effects of temperature on interface microstructure and strength properties of titanium–niobium stainless steel diffusion bonded joints

Abstract

The effects of temperature on interface microstructure and strength properties of Ti/stainless diffusion bonded joint using Nb interlayer, processed in the temperature range 800–950°C for 1·5 h in vacuum were investigated. The stainless steel/Nb interface is free from intermetallic phase up to 900°C; however, Fe₂Nb+Fe₇Nb₆ phase mixture has been observed at 950°C processing temperature. The Nb/Ti interface is free from intermetallic for all processing temperatures. The maximum tensile strength of ～287 MPa (～90% of Ti) and shear strength ～222 MPa (～75% of Ti) along with 6·9% ductility have been achieved in the diffusion bonded joints, when processed at 900°C. The bonded samples failure takes place through the stainless steel/Nb interface for all processing temperatures during the loading.     

Static recrystallization and hot ductility of molybdenum- and nitrogen- alloyed austenitic stainless steels in association with two- and multistep deformation

Abstract

The kinetics of static recrystallization in connection with two-step deformations have been studied for an austenitic stainless steel of type DIN Wnr. 1·4439 (18Cr–12Ni–4·4Mo–0·2N) by hot compression testing. Experiments were performed on both wrought and cast materials to total strains in the range ε = 0·20?0·40 and at temperatures of 1050 and 1150°C. The results show that an increased pause time between the two deformation steps increases the time for achieving a given fraction recrystallized as compared to that for a single deformation performed with the same strain. The reason for this is an increased amount of softening with increasing pause time, i.e. a lower driving force for recrystallization. Using a model for recovery, the temperature and strain dependence of the fraction recrystallized could be calculated with high accuracy. A model has also been developed for calculation of the fraction recrystallized during multipass deformation and for continuous cooling conditions. The hot ductility was determined for AISI 316L, AISI 316LN, and DIN Wnr. 1·4439 at temperatures between 1050 and 1250°C. The results show a reduced hot ductility with increasing molybdenum and nitrogen contents in the steel. Experiments were also performed for DIN Wnr. 1·4439 to examine the effect of a pause time on the hot ductility. Increasing fractions recrystallized during the pause time improved the hot ductility up to about 50%. An analysis is presented of how hold times should be introduced into a rolling schedule to maximize the fraction recrystallized and thereby enhance the hot ductility.

MST/359     

Tensile elongation of lean-alloy austenitic stainless steels: transformation-induced plasticity versus planar glide

An Fe–13Cr–3.4Mn–0.47C lean-alloy stainless steel was made austenitic by solution annealing at 1250°C. Tensile tests between 20 and 200°C indicated enhancement of ductility at higher temperatures. At 200°C where planar glide, manifested as deformation twinning, was the dominant deformation mechanism, a uniform tensile elongation of 102% was achieved. At 20°C where deformation-induced α′-martensitic transformation replaced deformation twinning as the dominant deformation mechanism, tensile elongation was significantly impaired. The tensile elongation contribution by the planar glide was estimated to be at least four times that of the α′-TRIP (transformation-induced plasticity) mechanism. The results indicate that inexpensive lean-alloy austenitic stainless steels exhibiting pronounced α′-formation at room temperature could become highly formable at higher temperatures.     

Analysis of oxide layers on stainless steel (304, and 316) by conversion electron Mössbauer spectrometry

Stainless steels of type SUS304 and SUS316 were chemically treated and heated at various temperatures, and the oxide films formed on the surface were analysed by Auger electron spectrometry and conversion electron Mössbauer spectrometry. The outermost oxide layers of stainless steels were enriched with iron and chromium after heat treatment below 600° C and above 700° C, respectively. It was found that at least two magnetic components of iron species were present in the oxide layers of stainless steel heated below 600° C and that the fine particles of iron oxide are produced in the inner oxide layers of the samples prepared by heating at temperatures higher than 700° C. Only paramagnetic iron species were detected in the oxide layers of the stainless steel prepared by chemical treatment. The structures of the oxide layers produced by those heat and chemical treatments are proposed.     

High temperature mechanical properties of triple phase steels

A 0.15% C–1.2% Si–1.7% Mn steel was intercritically annealed at 780 °C for 5 min and then isothermally held at 400 °C for 4 min followed by oil quenching to room temperature and the annealed microstructure consist of 75% ferrite , 15% bainite and 10% retained austenite was produced. Samples of this steel with triple phase structure were tensile tested at temperature range of 25–450 °C. Stress–strain curves showed serration flow at temperature range of 120–400 °C and smooth flow at the other temperatures. All of the stress–strain curves showed discontinuous yielding at all testing temperatures. Both yield and ultimate tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature, but there exists a temperature region (120–400 °C) where a reduction of strength with increasing temperature is retarded or even slightly increased. The variation in the mechanical properties with temperature was related to the effects of dynamic strain aging, high temperature softening, bainite tempering and austenite to martensite transformation during deformation.