Enhanced Mechanical Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Prepared by Aluminothermic Reaction Subjected to Multiple Warm Rolling

• Published in: Metals and materials international 2018-05, Vol.24 (3), p.633-643
• Main Authors: Li, Z. N., Wei, F. A., La, P. Q., Ma, F. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminothermic reactions; Austenite; Austenitic stainless steels; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Deformation; Elongation; Engineering Thermodynamics; Heat and Mass Transfer; Iron and steel making; Machines; Magnetic Materials; Magnetism; Manufacturing; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Metallic Materials; Microstructure; Processes; Reduction; Solid Mechanics; Stainless steels; Steel; Warm rolling; Warm working
• ISSN: 1598-9623; 2005-4149
• DOI: 10.1007/s12540-018-0066-y

Large dimensional bulk 316L stainless steels were prepared by aluminothermic reaction method and rolled at 973 K (700 °C) with different deformation, the microstructures evolution and mechanical properties were characterized in detail. The results showed that the microstructure of casting steel consists of nanocrystalline/submicrocrystalline/microcrystalline austenite and submicrocrystalline ferrite. After rolling to thickness reduction of 30, 50 and 70%, the submicrocrystalline austenite grains were crushed and dispersed more uniformly in the matrix of the steel, the grain size of submicrocrystalline austenite decreased from 246 to 136 nm. The mechanical properties of the rolled steels were significantly enhanced, with the thickness reduction increased from 30 to 70%, the tensile strength increased from 632 to 824 MPa, the yield strength increased from 425 to 615 MPa, and the elongation increased from 11 to 24%. After rolling to thickness reduction of 70%, the optimized combination of high strength and high ductility was obtained.