Properties of Cold Worked High Nitrogen Chromium-Based Alloys

Abstract

The paper illustrates some important mechanical and corrosion properties of a new nitrogen alloyed chromium-based alloy with a face centered cubic crystal lattice. Due to the high nitrogen content the alloy exhibits a high work hardening capacity and can be cold worked to strength levels above 2 GPa, maintaining a good ductility. As expected from the high amount of corrosion-suppressing elements - 33 w/o Cr, 1.5 w/o Mo, 0.4 w/o N - the material demonstrates a high resistance against localized corrosion in chloride containing environments. The most important fact, however, is the high resistance against stress corrosion cracking. The alloy - even in the cold worked high strength condition - does not show any signs of stress corrosion cracking, neither in pure hot water nor in chloride containing aqueous solutions.