Effect of low cold-rolling strain on microstructure, texture, phase transformation, and mechanical properties of 2304 lean duplex stainless steel

Abstract

The effect of cold rolling deformation (4%–22%) on the microstructure, microtexture, and mechanical properties of a 2304 lean duplex stainless steel was investigated. The deformed microstructures were analyzed by electron backscattering diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that after 4% thickness reduction, the strain produced phase transformation in austenite (γ), stacking faults (SFs), and mechanical twins. The orientation relationships of Kurdjumov–Sachs (KS) and Nishiyama–Wassermann (NW) were observed between the γ and α′-martensite. Moreover, Shoji–Nishiyama (SN) and Pitsch–Schrader (PS) were observed between γ and ε-martensite, and ε-martensite and α′-martensite, respectively. A further reduction in thickness (up to 22%) caused a reduction in total elongation and an increase in the yield and the ultimate tensile strength.