Comparison of dynamic softening in 301, 304, 316 and 317 stainless steels

The mechanical torsion data in the form of flow curves and strain hardening rates from both as-cast and worked 300 series austenitic stainless steels, tested in the range 1200-900°C and 0.1 to 5.0 s-1, have been analysed to deepen understanding of dynamic softening mechanisms. The critical strain for dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is determined from the downward inflection of the strain hardening rate-stress curves, and completion of DRX is taken from the start of the steady-state regime. The rate of softening can be described by means of the Avrami equation with a mean k value of 1.27. These conclusions, based upon mechanical data, have been confirmed by optical metallographic methods. The peak strain (e _p) at which there is about 30% DRX is shown to be a function of the Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z) and the original grain size (D₀). The transition from multiple-peak grain coarsening to single-peak grain refinement behaviour has been determined. While the DRX grain size is a linear function of the steady-state flow stress with a power of -1.23, the subgrain diameter function has a power of -1. The stress and strain for subgrain formation were determined from changes in slope of the strain hardening-stress curves.