Fracture and strength properties of selected austenitic stainless steels at cryogenic temperatures

Austenitic stainless steels have an excellent combination of mechanical and physical properties for load-bearing structures of large superconducting magnets for plasma containment in magnetic fusion experiments. To assess their relative suitability fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth, and tensile properties data for five austenitic steels at 295, 76, and 4 K have been obtained. The steels were AISI 304, 316, 304LN, and 316LN, and an Fe-21cr-12Ni-5Mn alloy with a higher nitrogen content than the other four grades. The two principal findings were the systematic variation of yield strength with nitrogen content and a systematic inverse correlation between fracture toughness and yield strength. Data from previous studies are reviewed which confirm the trends of the present data.     

Fabrication and characteristics of porous AISI 304L stainless steels by ceramic powder additions

Abstract

Porous AISI 304L stainless steels were fabricated by a new powder metallurgy technique, based on the addition of oxide based ceramic powders. The mixture of AISI 304L stainless steel powders and oxide based ceramic powders was compacted using a hand press at a pressure of 294 or 490 MPa. The green compacts were sintered at 1150 or 1200°C for 3 h in Ar gas atmosphere. The addition of oxide based ceramic powders into AISI 304L stainless steel powders gave rise to porous AISI 304L stainless steels with fine pores. Also, the addition of the ceramic powders increased the hardness.     

Sensitization evaluation of the austenitic stainless steel AISI 304L, 316L, 321 and 347

This work presents a systematic investigation of the influence of time and temperature in the sensitization of stainless steel AISI 304L, AISI 316L, AISI 321 and AISI 347 pipes used in petroleum refining plants. The sensitization was assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) according to ASTM A-262 and by the Double Loop Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation test (DLEPR). The results showed that all steels did not present sensitization at operating temperature (380°C) in the desulfurizers process, but the temperature of 500°C was critical to the appearing of sensitization for the both low carbon stainless steels and AISI 321 SS, while for the AISI 347 the critical temperature was 550°C. The stabilized steels confirmed to be more resistant to sensitization than the low carbon stainless steels, and niobium showed to be more efficient stabilizing agent than titanium.     

Hot cracking susceptibility of boron modified AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel welds

Abstract

The hot cracking susceptibility of welds made on AISI 304 stainless steel modified with from 0·2 to 1·0 wt-%B has been investigated. Varestraint tests showed that the hot cracking susceptibility is high for boron additions of about 0·2%, but is decreased when the boron content is increased to ≥0·5%. Steels containing about 0·2%B were found to have a wide solidification temperature range and their high temperature ductility was low compared with boron free AISI 304 steel and the other boron modified steels. Ferrite precipitation was inhibited in the 0·2%B steels and the formation of low melting point grain boundary films was thereby promoted. Increasing the boron content to ≥0·6% reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion and narrows the solidification temperature range. In addition, crack refilling was observed, resulting in improved hot ductility and high resistance to hot cracking. It is concluded that in structures where weld restraint forces are not high, hot cracking is not likely to occur if boron additions of >0·6% are made to AISI 304 stainless steel. In T-type and Fisco weld cracking tests, in which the weld restraint forces are close to those experienced by actual structural welds, the boron modified stainless steels show a low hot cracking susceptibility which is not significantly different from that of boron free AISI 304 steel.

MST/1548     

Softened zone formation and joint strength properties in dissimilar friction welds

The mechanical properties of dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds with and without silver interlayers were examined. The notch tensile strengths of MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds increased when high friction pressures were applied during the joining operation. The higher notch tensile strengths of dissimilar MMC/AISI and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds resulted from the formation of narrow softened zones in MMC material immediately adjacent to the bondline. The influence of softened zone width and hardness (yield strength) on the notch tensile strengths of dissimilar welds was analysed using finite element modelling (FEM). FEM in combination with the assumption of a ductile failure criterion was used to calculate the notch tensile strengths of dissimilar joints. The key assumption in this work is that dissimilar weld failure wholly depended on the characteristics (mechanical properties and dimensions) of the softened zone formed in MMC material immediately adjacent to the bondline. The modelling results produced based on this assumption closely correspond with the actual notch tensile strengths of dissimilar MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel and MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds.     

A discussion on evaluation criteria for crevice corrosion of various stainless steels

In this study,crevice corrosion performances of a newly developed LDSS 2002 and three commercial stainless steels(AISI 304,AISI 316L and DSS 2205)were investigated and discussed.Crevice repassivation potential(ER,CREV),which was measured by the potentiodynamic-galvanostatic-potentiodynamic(PDGS-PD)test,was applicable to crevice corrosion evaluation of 304 and 316 L stainless steels.However,much lower(ER,CREV values were obtained for DSS 2205 and LDSS 2002.These abnormal(ER,CREV values for duplex stainless steels may be related to the selective attack of the less corrosion-resistant phase,the lower corrosion potential in the crevice-like solution,and more crevice corrosion sites in the PD-GS-PD test.A critical chloride concentration of crevice corrosion(CCCCREV)measurement was introduced for crevice corrosion evaluation of various stainless steels.The derived CCCCREVwas proved to be a valid criterion for crevice corrosion evaluation of both the austenitic and duplex stainless steels.An order of crevice corrosion resistance of AISI 304≈LDSS 2002相似文献   

Corrosion of a stainless steel handrail

AISI 304 and 304L stainless steels are “workhores” grades of austenitic stainless steel frequently used in architectural applications, as well as in cookware, appliances, and numerous other applications where resistance to corrosion is required. This paper examines a corrosion failure (the appearance of rustlike stains on the surface) of a 304 stainless steel handrail that appears to have occurred as a result of contamination during the fabrication process.     

Structural,mechanical, and tribological properties of AISI 304 and AISI 316L steels submitted to nitrogen–carbon glow discharge

Glow discharge (GD) nitrocarburizing, at low-carbon content and different working temperatures, was performed on AISI 316L and AISI 304 stainless steels. Structural compositions were studied by X-ray diffraction. Instrumented indentation and conventional Vickers method allowed hardness profiles to be determined. Tribological behavior was studied by means of reciprocating sliding and nanoscratch tests. After nitrocarburizing, both steels showed similar embedded nitride and carbide formations. The layer formed by GD in nitrogen–carbon atmosphere is thicker than those consisting solely of nitrogen particularly for AISI 316L. At working temperatures higher than 400 °C, roughness increased and wear was limited to asperity compaction. Wear mechanisms were similar in both steels. However, wear was reduced by up to a factor of 5 in treated steels. No difference in elastic surface recovery was observed after nitrocarburizing in either steel.     

Friction stir welding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of friction stir welding (FSW) AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels. The tool used was formed of a tungsten‐based alloy. The specimens were welded on an 11 kW vertical milling machine. Defect‐free welds were produced on 2.5 mm plates of hot‐rolled AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels at travel speeds ranging from 40 to 100 mm/min with a constant rotating speed of 1000 rpm. Tensile strengths and hardness values of the weld interface were determined and microstructure features of these samples were investigated.     

FATIGUE DESIGN OF SPOT-WELDED AUSTENITIC AND DUPLEX STAINLESS SHEET STEELS

The fatigue strength of spot-welded stainless sheet steels has been investigated. The main part of the fatigue tests was performed on a cold rolled austenitic stainless sheet steel (AISI304) in air at ambient temperature. For comparison, a duplex stainless steel (SAF2304) of similar yield strength as AISI304 was also incorporated into the test programme. Since the fatigue strength of spot-welded joints depends on the mode of loading, both shear-loaded and peel-loaded joints were tested. The fatigue strength of the spot-welded stainless steels was found to decrease with decreasing sheet thickness. Furthermore, the fatigue strength for peel-loaded joints is lower than that of shear-loaded joint for sheets of equal thickness.
The local loading conditions at the weld edge have been analysed in terms of finite element calculations and fracture mechanics. A design parameter derived from a fracture mechanics analysis was defined for spot-welded stainless sheet steels. It was shown to predict the fatigue life of the present steels and joint configurations in a satisfactory way.     

不锈钢冷加工形变诱发马氏体相变及其腐蚀行为

在实验室和现场对经过不同温度，不同方式，不同程度冷加工的奥氏体304不锈钢进行马氏体相变量的检测，研究了冷加工与马氏体相变的关系。通过浸泡试验和金相显微镜研究了304不锈钢在腐蚀过程中马氏体含量的变化。结果表明，冷加工能产生不同程度的马氏体相变；在腐蚀过程中，马氏体相存在优先溶解。     

The effect of TiN inclusions and deformation-induced martensite on the corrosion properties of AISI 321 stainless steel

Stainless steel of type 321 is commonly used for the production of exhaust systems because of its temperature resistance and welding properties, which are better than those of AISI 304 or similar steels. AISI 321 is a titanium stabilized austenitic stainless steel, where this element is added to form carbides in order to avoid chromium impoverishment due to chromium carbide formation. Cold shaping can, in the case of austenitic stainless steel, cause the formation of deformation induced martensite, which can improve its mechanical properties, but unfortunately can also spoil its good resistance to corrosion. Titanium nitride inclusions are cathodic with respect to steels, and therefore cause their anodic dissolution. Martensite is, however, more susceptible to the corrosion than austenite in steels. The main aim of this study was to analyze the pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking which is initiated on prototype cold-formed outer exhaust sleeves during the testing of different cleaning procedures before chromium plating. Various microscopic methods were used to identify the initiation of corrosion and its propagation.     

The erosive wear of mild and stainless steels under controlled corrosion in alkaline slurries containing alumina particles

The erosive wear in an alkaline slurry containing alumina particles of three typical engineering materials, the mild steel BS 6323 (Fe-C), the AISI 410 stainless steel (Fe-Cr-C), and the AISI 304 stainless steel (Fe-Cr-Ni), was carried out, by means of rotating cylinder, three-electrode erosion-corrosion test, with a view to investigation into the roles of the typical elements and the mechanical and chemical properties in the erosive wear under simultaneous controlled corrosion. The total weight loss of erosion-corrosion was obtained by precision weighing and the result was compared and interpreted, for each material, by a full microscopical examination of the erosion-corrosion scars using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the overall performance under erosion-corrosion in an descending order was the stainless steels AISI 304, AISI 410, and the mild steel, although the precise difference in performance was dependent upon the process conditions. Such a ranking of performance was not in total consistence with that expected only from the mechanical or the chemical property differences of the materials concerned. The individual contribution of each erosion and corrosion process was thus further separated through corrosion charge conversion using the Faraday's second law and the results were interpreted by discussion, on basis of the experimental and microscopical evidences, of the main factors that influenced the mechanical and wear behaviour, in conjunction with those influencing corrosion and passivity. Finally, schematic diagrams were proposed to outline the typical erosion and corrosion features thus obtained for all the three materials during erosion-corrosion.     

Investigation of the mechanical properties of friction-welded joints between AISI 304L and AISI 4340 steel as a function rotational speed

In this study, standard AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel and AISI 4340 steel couple were welded by friction welding process using five different rotational speeds. The joining performances of AISI 304L/AISI 4340 friction-welded joints were studied and the influences of rotational speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were also estimated. The microstructural properties of heat affected zone (HAZ) were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microhardness across the interface perpendicular to the interface was measured and the strength of the joints was determined with tensile tests. The experimental results indicate that the tensile strength of friction-welded 304L/4340 components were markedly affected by joining rotational speed selected.     

The effect of preheat & post weld heat treatment on the laser weldability of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel

The martensitic stainless steels are widely used in many industries with their excellent mechanical properties and sufficient corrosion resistance. These steels usually are used for a wide range of applications like nuclear power plants, steam generators, mixer blades, pressure vessels, turbine blades, surgical tools, instrument manufacturing and so on. Contrary to good mechanical and corrosion properties of martensitic steels, poor weldability and cold cracking sensitivity are major problems that are faced in joining of these steels. In this study, the weldability of AISI 420 (X30Cr13) martensitic stainless steel by CO₂ laser beam welding method has been investigated. Effects of pre and post weld heat treatments on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welded AISI 420 martensitic stainless have also been determined. As a conclusion, it was determined that pre and post weld heat treatments sufficiently improved the mechanical properties of the welds.     

In vitro corrosion resistance of Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels

The corrosion behavior of three kinds of austenitic high nitrogen Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels was examined in acellular simulated body fluid solutions and compared with type AISI 316L stainless steel. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical techniques, the analysis of released metal ions was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the cytotoxicity was investigated in a culture of murine osteoblasts cells. Total immunity to localized corrosion in simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions was exhibited by Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels, while Lotus-type porous AISI 316L showed very low pitting corrosion resistance evidenced by pitting corrosion at a very low breakdown potential. Additionally, Lotus-type porous Ni-free stainless steels showed a quite low metal ion release in SBF solutions. Furthermore, cell culture studies showed that the fabricated materials were non-cytotoxic to mouse osteoblasts cell line. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the investigated alloys are biocompatible and corrosion resistant and a promising material for biomedical applications.     

Zinc contamination cracking in stainless steel after welding

The paper presents the results of microstructure of welded joints of hot-dip zinc galvanized steels E275D+Z and stainless steels X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304, 1.4301) examination. Obtained results show the zinc evaporation from structural steel surface, it deposition on the stainless steel and penetration of it microstructure. The process mechanism is described and illustrated.     

Modification of Olson–Cohen model for predicting stress-state dependency of martensitic transformation

The well-known Olson–Cohen model is modified by incorporating the effect of stress state on the transformation kinetics in metastable austenitic stainless steels. By assuming isothermal condition, the relationships between the parameters of Olson–Cohen model, stress triaxiality and absolute value of Lode angle parameter have been established. The proposed model predicts that the saturation level and slope of transformation curve increase with increasing the stress triaxiality in addition to the absolute value of Lode angle parameter. Uniaxial and plane strain tension tests have been conducted on the two types of austenitic stainless steels AISI 304 and AISI 201 to evaluate the validity of the model. The results show that the predicted transformation curves are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Creep Crack Growth in austenitic steels — applicability of fracture mechanics parameters

The comparison of fracture mechanics parameters, which have been applied to creep crack growth in case of the austenitic stainless steels AISI 304 and AISI 316, is possible only to a limited extent thus showing evidence that a reliable judgement cannot be given at this moment. With respect to the mechanical characterization of a cracked component by using small specimen data the J-integral resp. modified versions like C* have to be favoured for future work. The net-section stress seems to show promise under certain conditions as well. The application of the stress intensity factor will not characterize properly creep cracking by giving a conservative interpretation of the mechanical behaviour. With regard to fracture mechanics parameters the effects of temperature, geometry and environment on creep crack growth have also been discussed.     

Solidification mode and residual ferrite in low-Ni austenitic stainless steels

The solidification modes of two new classes of austenitic stainless steels with a low content of Ni are shown. Their chemical composition is similar to that of the standard AISI 304 and AISI 316, except for the content of nickel, manganese and nitrogen. It is found that standard formulas for predicting the residual ferrite can be fairly well used in the prediction of the solidification mode while they do not work in predicting the residual ferrite content. In particular, it is found that ferrite is the first phase to solidify for values of the equivalent ratio (calculated according to the formulas developed by Hammar and Svensson) greater than 1.50, otherwise austenite is the first phase to solidify. A new set of equations for predicting the residual -ferrite in these new classes of materials is determined via multivariable linear regression. The influence of the steel solidification mode on the material structural transformations during heat treatment is also shown.