Grain growth of austenite in stainless steels melted by different methods

Abstract

1. The melting method has no substantial effect on grain growth up to temperatures of intensive collecting recrystallization (1150–1200°C). At higher temperatures grain growth is more rapid in pipes made from electroslag melts. 2. In austenitic steels, independently of the melting method (are melting, electroslag remelting, vacuum-are remelting) and degree of deformation, there are three stages of grain growth, connected with the solubility of carbides: I) negligible grain growth at 900–1050°C; II) intense grain growth at 1050–1150°C; III) decelerated grain growth above 1150°C. 3. Multipass deformation leads to finer grains regardless of the melting method. 4. Grain growth is more intense in pipes of steel 0Kh18N10T than steel 00Kh16N15M3B, which is evidently due to the difference in the solubility of titanium and niobium carbides and the higher alloying of steel 00Kh16N15M3B.