Abstract: For the cold-rolled drawability differences between grade J5A and grade J5 low-nickel austenitic stainless steels of Series 200 products, the composition design, metallographic structure, mechanical properties and martensitic content were analyzed and compared, and the mechanisms of cold working performance difference were studied. The results show that the unreasonable composition design of J5A steel results in lower nickel equivalent, poorer austenite stability and higher martensite transition point M_d(30/50), large quantity of cold deformation induced martensite are generated during rolling, leading to severe work-hardening degree and poor drawability performance.

Key words: low-nickel stainless steel, martensite, cold work hardening