Development of texture and microstructure during cold-rolling and annealing of F.C.C. alloys: Example of an austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

The 316 L austenitic stainless steel is used as an example of f.c.c. alloys for investigating and reviewing the main aspects of cold-rolling deformation and of subsequent annealing in this class of materials. Quantitative texture measurements (neutron diffraction and ODF analysis) and microstructural observations (analytical TEM/STEM and HVEM) permitted first to establish a good correlation between deformation textures and microstructures from 40 to 90% reduction. A particular emphasis is laid on strain inhomogeneities (mechanical twinning and shear banding). Then, the recrystallization mechanisms were identified (in particular through in situ annealing in HVEM) and permitted to explain the formation of annealing textures. An original situation is exhibited in 316 L steel, in that the main brass-type components of the rolling texture are retained, despite classical discontinuous recrystallization and grain growth. Possible solid solution effects (Mo) are invoked to explain this behaviour. The different processes of deformation, recrystallization, grain growth and second phase precipitation are discussed on the light of the current literature.