Effect of nitrogen on microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-rolled 022Cr18Ni8N metastable austenitic stainless steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.01.030

Abstract

Abstract: Microstructure chang of metastable austenitic stainless steel 022Cr18Ni8N with varying nitrogen contents (0%, 0.02%, 0.05% and 0.14%) before and after cold rolling was investigated, and the effect of nitrogen on the microstructure and properties was characterized by using OM, EBSD, XRD, and room temperature tensile tests.The results indicate that nitrogen can improve the stability of austenite of the tested steel and reduce the formation of deformation induced martensite during cold deformation. The strain-induced martensite nucleates at the intersections of deformation bands, within solitary deformation bands, and at the intersections of deformation bands and grain boundaries. An appropriate nitrogen content endows metastable austenitic stainless steel with enhanced comprehensive mechanical properties through the regulation of two strengthening mechanisms, namely phase transformation strengthening and solution strengthening.

Key words: nitrogen content, metastable austenitic stainless steel, deformation induced martensite, mechanical properties, strengthening mechanism

CLC Number:

TG142.71

Liu Jinrun, Lang Yuping, Chen Haitao, Feng Hanqiu, Gao Zhijun, Zhang Zhengfu. Effect of nitrogen on microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-rolled 022Cr18Ni8N metastable austenitic stainless steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(1): 195-200.

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