Structure and strength of certain austenitic stainless steels after plastic deformation and subsequent annealing

Abstract

An investigation was made of martensite formation and of the reversion of martensite to austenite in specimens of three commercial grades of metastable austenitic stainless steels: 301, 302, and 316. Measurements were made of the amounts of martensite and of the hardening produced by rolling at various deformations up to 50% at several temperatures in the range +200° to −196°C. Annealing treatments of 2 min duration were given in the range 550°−850°C, and the changes in hardness, and martensite content were determined. Fine-grained austenite structures were obtained, and electron microscopical observations were made to investigate the recovery and recrystallization processes occurring during annealing.