Combined effects of strain and grain size on carbide precipitation and sensitization in 304 stainless steel

Abstract

The dramatic effects of uniaxial strain on sensitization in austenitic stainless steels is now well documented. Many parameters influence the occurrence of sensitization and the degree of sensitization (DOS) is thus a function of microstructural characteristics (which of course includes the grain size) and chemical composition, including the carbon content (which is the most critical compositional element controlling sensitization). However, there have been no studies evaluating simultaneous effects of deformation (strain) and grain size on sensitization development. A study of two grain sizes and carbon content variations by Pascali, et al found that desensitization was delayed at the larger grain size (68 [mu]m) in comparison to the smaller grain size (17[mu]m), especially at aging temperatures near 600 C. In this study the authors present some preliminary results of the combined effect of grain size and uniaxial strain on sensitization (DOS) in 304 stainless steel.