Effect of strain-induced martensitic phase transformation on the formability of nitrogen-alloyed metastable austenitic stainless steels

Strain-induced martensitic phase transformation and its influence on the formability of newly developed nitrogen-alloyed metastable austenitic stainless steels were systematically investigated. Yield strength for the asreceived steels bearing lownickel content was around 300 MPa and their elongation ratios varied from 55. 2% to61. 7%. Erichsen numbers of these samples differed from 13. 82 to 14. 57 mm. Although its Cu content was lower than that of other samples,steel D2 exhibited better plasticity and formability,which was attributed to γ→α'martensitic phase transformation. EBSD,XRD,and magnetism tests showed that increases in deformation ratio gradually increased the α' martensite phase of a sample,thereby contributing to its strain and inducing the optimal transformation-induced plasticity effect. An M_(d30/50) temperature of around 20 ℃,which is close to the deformation temperature,provided the austenite with adequate stability and gradually transformed it into martensite,thereby endowing lean ASS with better formability.     

Development and application of nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steels in Baosteel

In recent years,nitrogen-alloyed stainless steels have been a research hotspot in the field of stainless steel product and technology. Nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steels developed by Baosteel and their applications are introduced. These steels are nitrogen-controlled products 304 N and 316 LN,nitrogen containing economical products BN series and high-nitrogen stainless steel( HNS) series. The results show that the presence of nitrogen can significantly improve the strength and corrosion resistance of steel produced. By nitrogen alloying,economical austenitic stainless steels w ith considerably less nickel than 304 can be obtained; the corrosion resistances of these steels are almost the same as 304. Furthermore,by a scientific approach of nitrogen alloying,high-nitrogen steel of0. 8% nitrogen content is fabricated under the non-pressurized conditions,and the pitting potential of this steel is 1. 0 V. At present,nitrogen-alloyed steels developed by Baosteel are w idely utilized in the manufacture of cryogenic storage containers,transportation containers,and many household w ares.     

Effect of martensitic transformation on nano/ultrafine-grained structure in 304 austenitic stainless steel

304 austenitic stainless steel was cold rolled in the range of 20%-80%reductions and then annealed at 700-900°C for 60 sto obtain nano/ultrafine-grained(NG/UFG)structure.Transmission electron microscopy,electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the resulting microstructures.The results showed that with the increase of cold reduction,the content of martensite was increased.The steel performed work hardening during cold-working owing to the occurrence of strain induced martensite which nucleated in single shear bands.Further rolling broke up the lath-type martensite into dislocation-cell type martensite because of the formation of slip bands.Samples annealed at 800-960°C for 60 swere of NG/UFG structure with different percentage of nanocrystalline(60-100 nm)and ultrafine(100-500 nm)grains,submicron size(500-1000 nm)grains and micron size(1000 nm)grains.The value of the Gibbs free energy exhibited that the reversion mechanism of the reversion process was shear controlled by the annealing temperature.For a certain annealing time during the reversion process,austenite nucleated first on dislocation-cell type martensite and the grains grew up subsequently and eventually to be micrometer/submicrometer grains,while the nucleation of austenite on lath-type martensite occurred later resulting in nanocrystalline/ultrafine grains.The existence of the NG/UFG structure led to a higher strength and toughness during tensile test.     

A constitutive model for transformation plasticity accompanying strain-induced martensitic transformations in metastable austenitic steels

We propose a constitutive model which describes the transformation plasticity accompanying strain-induced martensitic transformation in nonthermoelastic alloys. The model consists of two parts: a transformation kinetics law describing the evolution of the volume fraction of martensite and a constitutive law defining the flow strength of the evolving two-phase composite. The Olson-Cohen model for martensite volume fraction evolution is recast in a generalized rate form so that the extent of martensite nucleation is not only a function of plastic strain and temperature, but also of the stress state. A selfconsistent method is then used for predicting the resultant stress-strain behavior. The model describes both the hardening influence of the transformation product, and the softening influence of the transformation itself, as represented by a spontaneous transformation strain. The model is then implemented in a finite element program suitable for analysis of boundary value problems. Model predictions are compared with existing experimental data for austenitic steels. We present results from a few simple analyses, including tensile necking, illustrating the critical importance of stress state sensitivity in the evolution model.     

Phase transformation of austenitic stainless steels as a result of cathodic hydrogen charging

The effects of cathodic hydrogen charging and aging on surface phase transformations were studied in solution treated and cold worked specimens of two austenitic stainless steels. Quantitative phase evaluation using an X-ray technique has shown that cathodic hydrogen charging and aging can result in a considerable amount of surface transformation toε andα ′ martensites. The extent of this surface transformation differs significantly from deformation-induced transformation at the same temperature, and abnormally high volume fractions ofε martensite are produced by the charging process. A minimum charging current density is necessary to induce transformation. In cold-worked samples, further surface transformation due to hydrogen charging and aging is inhibited by high volume fractions of pre-existing martensite. A. P. BENTLEY, formerly with the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Cambridge     

Stress-induced γ→ α martensitic transformation in two carbon stainless steels. Application to trip steels

The influence of the temperature θαof a prestraining of austenite above M_don the subsequent stress-induced γ→ α’ transformation in the(M _s, M_d) range is examined in two carbon stainless steels. It is shown that the yield stress, which is controlled by the transformation, increases with θαat given testing temperature and amount of prestraining. This behavior is related to the influence of θαon the nature and arrangement of the defects present in austenite after the prestraining: planar defects(i.e., stacking faults, twins, e platelets) predominate if θαis close to M_dwhereas undissociated dislocation cells are only to be observed if θif higher. This is consistent with the strong increase of the intrinsic stacking fault energy of the austenite, as inferred from measurements using the node method on a hot stage microscope. In addition, the ability of plane defects to propagate under stress is shown to be lower after a prestraining at higher θα, which is attributed to a segregation of impurity atoms on dislocations. It is concluded that the nucleation stress of the γ→ α’ transformation is the stress necessary to allow planar defects to propagate in the prestrained austenite. This work is part of a thesis prepared at the Centre des Matériaux de l’Ecole des Mines, Corbeil, France, and submitted at the University of Nancy, June 1972.     

Creep-fatigue interaction in austenitic stainless steels

Low cycle fatigue failures occur by the initiation and controlled growth of a surface crack. The development of crack propagation models, based on continuum mechanics, have enabled successful predictions of fatigue life at both room and elevated temperatures. This paper attempts to extend such models to cover the situations in which creep damage, introduced during periods of stress relaxation, influences the rate of growth of the surface fatigue crack. Equations predicting fatigue life as a function of hold period are in good agreement with experimental data, for Type 304 stainless steel, Type 316 stainless steel and Incoloy-800.     

Instabilities in stabilized austenitic stainless steels

The effect of aging on the precipitation of grain boundary phases in three austenitic stainless steels (AISI 347, 347AP, and an experimental steel stabilized with hafnium) was investigated. Aging was performed both on bulk steels as well as on samples which were subjected to a thermal treatment to simulate the coarse grain region of the heat affected zone (HAZ) during welding. Aging of the bulk steels at 866 K for 8000 hours resulted in the precipitation of Cr₂₃C₆ carbides, σ, and Fe₂Nb phases; the propensity for precipitation was least for the hafnium-stabilized steel. Weld simulation of the HAZ resulted in dissolution of the phases present in the as-received 347 and 347AP steels, leading to grain coarsening. Subsequent aging caused extensive grain boundary Cr₂₃C₆ carbides and inhomogeneous matrix precipitation. In addition, steel 347AP formed a precipitate free zone (PFZ) along the grain boundaries. The steel containing hafnium showed the best microstructural stability to aging and welding. Formerly with Exxon Research and Engineering Company.     

Fatigue crack propagation in martensitic and austenitic steels

Fatigue crack growth rates were measured in an annealed and in an aged maraging steel and in three different austenitic steels. Microhardness measurements were used to determine the plane strain plastic zone sizes as a function of ΔK and to evaluate the cyclic flow stress of the material near the crack tip. The presence of a reversed cyclic plastic zone within the monotonic plastic zone was confirmed. The two maraging steels work soften near the tip of the crack while the three austenitic steels work harden. The fatigue crack growth rates of the maraging steels are independent of the monotonic yield stress and are typical of the growth rates of steels with a bcc crystal structure. The crack growth rates in the stainless steels are an order of magnitude lower than for maraging steels for ΔK< 30 ksi √in. The excellent fatigue crack growth resistance of austenitic stainless steels is related to the de-formation induced phase transformations taking place in the plastic zone and to the low stacking fault energy of the alloys.     

氮含量对无镍奥氏体不锈钢平衡相转变的影响

高氮铬锰奥氏体不锈钢有着极为广泛的应用前景,然而氮含量对其相转变的影响尚不十分清晰。设计并冶炼了氮质量分数为0.02%～1.20%的试验钢,对各钢的平衡相转变进行了热力学计算,对δ铁素体和Cr₂N的形貌进行了观察。结果表明,钢中δ铁素体的最大析出量随着氮含量的升高而降低,当氮质量分数超过1.05%后,无δ铁素体析出。获得了试验钢加热时δ铁素体的析出温度与氮含量的关系式。随着氮含量的升高,试验钢在冷却时Cr₂N的析出温度逐渐升高,并获得了其定量关系式。在GN04钢中,1 200 ℃等温2 h后的δ铁素体主要沿三叉晶界分布。Cr₂N析出优先在晶界形成,然后朝着晶内发展。在相同等温条件下,试验钢中Cr₂N的析出量随着氮含量的升高而增大,且层片间距随之减小。     

Dispersion strengthening austenitic stainless steels by nitriding

The internal nitridation of thin sections of austenitic Fe−Cr−Ni−Ti alloys containing up to 2 pct Ti was studied over the temperature range 1600° to 2210°F in order to develop a method of strengthening the alloys through the introduction of a dispersoid of stable titanium nitrides. The interparticle spacing (IPS) of the nitrides was found to increase linearly with depth from the external surface; the effects of various parameters on the rate of change of IPS vs depth are presented. The mechanical properties of these alloys at room and elevated temperatures were markedly improved by internally nitriding. Useful mechanical properties were obtained up to 2200°F, with typical properties at 2000°F of 10 to 20 ksi 0.2 pct offset yield strength and 15 to 25 ksi ultimate tensile strength, but section thickness was limited to about 10 mils because of the increase in IPS with depth and the long nitriding times needed for thicker material. In order to produce a small interparticle spacing in a heavier section, internally nitrided 5 mil strip was consolidated by hot roll bonding and evaluated at a 60 mil thickness by tensile and rupture testing at 2000°F. It is demonstrated that the approach taken in this work offers a feasible technique for making a high temperature alloy having useful engineering properties.     

Hydrogen-related phase transformations in austenitic stainless steels

The effect of hydrogen and stress (strain) on the stability of the austenite phase in stainless steels was investigated. Hydrogen was introduced by severe cathodic charging and by elevated temperature equilibration with high pressure H₂ gas. Using X-ray diffraction and magnetic techniques, the behavior of two “stable” type AISI310 steels and an “unstable” type AISI304 steel was studied during charging and during the outgassing period following charging. Transformation from the fcc γ phase to an expanded fcc phase, γ*, and to the hcp ε phase occurred during cathodic charging. Reversion of the γ* and e phases to the original γ structure and formation of the bcc α structure were examined, and the kinetics of these processes was studied. The γ* phase was shown to be ferromagnetic with a subambient Curie temperature. The γ⇆ε phase transition was studied after hydrogen charging in high pressure gas, as was the formation of a during outgassing. These results are interpreted as effects of hydrogen and stress (strain) on the stability of the various phases. A proposed psuedo-binary phase diagram for the metal-hydrogen system was proposed to account for the formation of the γ* phase. The relation of these phase changes to hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel is discussed.     

Sliding wear of austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels

The dry sliding behavior of a 304L austenitic stainless steel and a duplex 2205 austenitic-ferritic stainless was investigated. The evolution of wear was characterized by the existence of a sliding-distance transition. In particular, wear passed from delamination to tribo-oxidation, with a reduction in wear rate. The occurrence of such a transition was interpreted with reference to a theory of sliding wear based on the formation, by subsurface plastic deformation, of a tribological layer and its detachment during sliding. It has been found that the transition is controlled by the ability of the tribological system to form, on its outer part, a protective oxide-rich scale. This introduces a kinetic limitation, which is particularly important in the case of the duplex 2205, because of its lower ductility in comparison to the 304L steel. In this frame, the influence of sliding velocity, the particular frictional behavior, the role of chromium in the oxidative wear, and the surface temperature evolution during sliding could be explained.     

铸造奥氏体不锈钢的疲劳裂纹扩展

用紧凑拉伸试样研究了载荷比、单峰过载和两步高-低幅加载对Z3CN20-09M铸造奥氏体不锈钢疲劳裂纹扩展速率的影响.当应力强度因子范围相同时,疲劳裂纹扩展速率随载荷比的增大而增大.单峰过载使裂纹扩展速率先有短暂的增加后长距离的减速扩展,出现裂纹扩展迟滞现象.两步高-低幅加载时,若两步的最大载荷不同,第二步裂纹扩展也会出现迟滞现象.用两参数模型和Wheeler模型能够预测恒幅载荷和变幅载荷下的疲劳裂纹扩展行为.     

Stacking fault energies of seven commercial austenitic stainless steels

The stacking fault energies of seven commercial austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni, Fe-Cr-Ni-Mn and Fe-Mn-Ni alloys have been determined by X-ray diffraction line profile analysis. From comparison with existing data on laboratory alloys with similar compositions, it is concluded that both Ni and C increase γ while Cr, Si, Mn, and N decrease γ. Regression analysis of data produced in this study provides an expression relating γ to commercial alloy composition in terms of Ni, Cr, Mn, and Mo alloy concentrations.     

Research on martensitic transformation of 304 stainless steel

采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、磁性测量和力学分析等手段,研究了304奥氏体不锈钢形变过程中发生开裂的原因,研究发现开裂是由于形变过程中发生了马氏体相变,导致塑性变差引起的,开裂处的磁性率达到了22.9%。发生马氏体转变的原因是由于w（Ni）低于标准下限,其组织稳定性下降,在形变过程中诱发了马氏体转变。     

Microstructural modification of austenitic stainless steels by rapid solidification

The microstructural modifications in three austenitic stainless steels (types 308, 310, and 312) were evaluated after rapid solidification. These three steels are commonly used weld filler metals. Two methods of rapid solidification were investigated, autogenous laser welding and arc-hammer splat quenching. The structure of 310 stainless steel was found to be 100 pct austenite, and did not vary over the range of conditions studied. On the contrary, the structures of types 308 and 312 steels were very sensitive to the cooling rates and solidification conditions. With the highest cooling rates, the type 308 structure was fully austenitic while the type 312 structure was fully ferritic. At lower cooling rates, the structures were duplex ferrite plus austenite. The results were interpreted in terms of faster kinetics of solidification of austenite compared to ferrite under the conditions examined. A comparison of the structures produced by the two rapid solidification techniques indicated the cooling rates are comparable.