Abstract
The influence of thermal aging treatments on the microstructure and related tensile and impact properties of a phosphorus free and a phosphorus doped titanium modified type 316 stainless steel have been investigated. The data reveal no effects of phosphorus on austenitic grain size or shape. Phosphorus in solid solution was found to have only a slight effect on mechanical properties. However, the presence of phosphorus noticeably changed the aging induced precipitate evolution in type 316 Ti stainless steel. Thus, long term aging in the range 700–800°C resulted in the nucleation of finely distributed particles in the steel containing phosphorus, which produced a significant strength increase with only a slight loss of ductility.