AISI 316L Steel Research Articles

The Influence of the Ratio of Circumference to Cross-Sectional Area of Tensile Bars on the Fatigue Life of Additive Manufactured AISI 316L Steel

The static and dynamic loading capacities of components depend on the stress level to which the material is exposed. The fatigue behavior of materials manufactured using additive technology is accompanied by a pronounced scatter between the number of cycles at the same stress level, which is significantly greater than the scatter from a material with the same chemical composition, e.g., AISI 316L, but produced by rolling or forging. An important reason lies in the fact that fatigue cracks are initiated almost always below the material surface of the loaded specimen. Thus, in the article, assuming that a crack will always initiate below the surface, we analyzed the fatigue behavior of specimens with the same bearing cross section but with a different number of bearing rods. With a larger number of rods, the circumference around the supporting part of the rods was 1.73 times larger. Thus, experimental fatigue of specimens with different sizes showed that the dynamic loading capacity of components with a smaller number of bars is significantly greater and can be monitored by individual stress levels. Although there are no significant differences in loading capacity under static and low-cycle loading of materials manufactured with additive technologies, in high-cycle fatigue it has been shown that the ratio between the circumference and the loading cross section of tensile-loaded rods plays an important role in the lifetime. This finding is important for setting a strategy for manufacturing components with additive technologies. It shows that a better dynamic loading capacity can be obtained with a larger loading cross section.

Electrochemical synthesis, physical properties and corrosion behavior of electropolymerized polyaniline films developed on 316L stainless steel

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI) films may be developed on metallic substrates by a variety of electrochemical techniques. In the present work, PANI films were electrodeposited on AISI 316L stainless steel substrates by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and chronopotentiometry (CP) with the objective of comparing the efficacy of each method, based on the integrity of the developed films. Cyclic voltammetry and anodic polarization were used to determine optimal electrodeposition parameters for the development PANI films using the CA and CP methods. The structure and morphology of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Among the evaluated techniques, CV led to the formation PANI films with the best homogeneity as well as the lowest number of defects, such as cracks or pores. Subsequently, the corrosion resistance of AISI 316L steels with and without PANI was compared in a physiological saline solution (0.9% NaCl). Potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated that the PANI‐coated samples exhibited lower corrosion current density values (0.012 vs. 0.018 μA/cm2) and lower passive current density values (0.04 vs. 0.06 μA/cm2) in comparison to the bare AISI 316L steel. Additionally, long‐term monitoring by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that PANI films consistently exhibited superior polarization resistance up to 32 days of exposure in the 0.9%NaCl solution (233,000 vs. 207,000 Ωcm2).

Effect of laser power during laser powder bed fusion on microstructure of joining interface between Tungsten and AISI 316L steel

This study investigates the deposition of tungsten (W) onto a 316L steel substrate by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), to optimize process parameters and analyze the interface between W and 316L. To obtain high-density W structure (98.89%), the optimal laser power was 350 W, and scan speed was 500 mm/s, but these parameters cause significant dilution of W in the W-316L interface; as a result, Fe7W6 intermetallics form, despite L-PBF being a non-equilibrium solidification process. These intermetallics which are brittle could degrade joint strength. By reducing laser power below 250 W, the dilution of W can be mitigated, and potentially minimize formation of intermetallics and increase joint stability for advanced manufacturing applications.

Failure investigation of an AISI 316L pipe of the flare system in an off-shore oil platform

The oil and gas industries have severe operations conditions, which impose several failures in off-shore equipment. The Flare System is a pipe designed to safely dispose of relieving hydrocarbon gases and liquids during start-up, operational upsets, emergency shutdown, and maintenance activities. This work reported the failure investigation in a pipe of a high-pressure flare system. The pipe has a diameter of 220 mm and 4 mm of thickness, and according to the equipment datasheet, it was made in AISI 316L stainless steel. Two cracks were detected during the previous non-destructive inspection. Those failures were repaired, but another crack was detected after some months. Chemical composition was investigated using optical emission spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the results are compatible with AISI 316L steel. The microstructure observed by light optical and scanning electron microscopes shows an austenitic matrix with deformation bands. The microhardness measurements and the XRD analysis show the martensite formation in those deformation bands. The tensile properties are in accordance with the standards. The fracture surface was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, the results point to fatigue failure.

Causes of damage to a pipeline of AISI 316L steel

Causes of damage to a pipeline of AISI 316L steel

Heat Transfer Enhancement in a 3D-Printed Compact Heat Exchanger

The study describes experimental data on thermal tests during the condensation of HFE7100 refrigerant in a compact heat exchanger. The heat exchanger was manufactured using the additive 3D printing in metal. The material is AISI 316L steel. MPCM slurry was used as the heat exchanger coolant, and water was used as the reference medium. The refrigerant was condensed on a bundle of circular tubes made of steel with an internal/external diameter of di/de = 2/3 mm, while a mixture of water and phase change materials as the coolant flowed through the channels. Few studies consider the heat exchange in condensation using phase change materials; furthermore, there is also a lack of description of heat exchange in small-sized exchangers printed from metal. Most papers deal with computer research, including flow simulations of heat exchange. The study describes the process of heat exchange enhancement using the phase transition of coolant. Experimental data for the mPCM slurry coolant flow was compared to the data of pure water flow as a reference liquid. The tests were carried out under the following thermal and flow conditions: G = 10–450 [kg m−² s−1], q = 2000–25,000 [W m−²], and ts = 30–40 [°C]. The conducted research provided many quantities describing the heat exchange in compact heat exchangers, including heat exchanger heat power, heat exchange coefficient, and heat exchange coefficients for working media. Based on these factors, the thermal performance of the heat exchanger was described. External characteristics include the value of the thermal power and the heat exchange coefficient as a function of the mass flow density of the working medium and the average logarithmic temperature difference. The performance of the heat exchanger was presented as the dependencies of the heat exchange coefficients on the mass flux density and the heat flux density on the heat exchange surface. The thickness of the refrigerant’s condensate film was also determined. Furthermore, a model was proposed to determine the heat exchange coefficient value for the condensing HFE7100 refrigerant on the outer surface of a bundle of smooth tubes inside a compact heat exchanger. According to experimental data, the calculation results were in good agreement with each other, with a range of 25%. These data can be used to design mini condensers that are widely used in practice.

Influence of Reinforcing nano-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Particles on Microstructure and Hardness Properties of HVOF Sprayed 80Ni20Cr Coatings

80Ni20Cr coatings produced by high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray technique are novel and widely used to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of metal and steel components in many applications, especially in coal-fired power plants. The present study investigated the effects of nano-Al2O3 at 0.5 wt.% on the microstructure of HVOF-sprayed 80Ni20Cr coating deposited on AISI 304L steels corresponding to its coating hardness. The coating was successfully sprayed with a thickness of 150 – 180 µm. The microstructure and phase formed by the coating were analyzed by a field emission electron microscope (FE-SEM) and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF) was used to confirm the Cr solid solution in the Ni-based coating. The presence of the nano-Al2O3 phase in the 80Ni20Cr coating was characterized by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The nano-Al2O3 particles were homogenously distributed in the coating layers. The incorporation of nano-Al2O3 into 80Ni20Cr enhanced coating characteristics by decreasing surface roughness by 23% and increasing coating hardness by around 4%.

On the effect of salt bath nitrocarburizing on the cavitation erosion behavior of AISI 304L stainless steel

In this study, salt bath nitrocarburizing was applied on austenitic stainless steel AISI 304L to stabilize austenite at the surface exposed to cavitation attack. Samples were treated at 470 °C and 500 °C for 6 h, giving an average thickness of the nitrocarburized layer of 6 µm and 26 µm, respectively. The thickness of the nitrocarburized layer is found to influence the formation of deformation-induced martensite (DIM) in the material and, thereby, the cavitation erosion resistance. The mass loss vs. time plot shows that the nitrocarburized specimens performed significantly better than the base material under ultrasonic vibratory cavitation erosion test (ASTM G32). Cross-sectional micrographs show that the phenomenon responsible for the failure in the base material is the formation of DIM. The specimen, nitrocarburized at 470 °C, showed a reduction of about 90 % in mass loss when compared to the base material (AISI 304L SS), owing to a higher yield strength (/resilience) after the formation of more stable austenite.

Modeling of LCF Behaviour on AISI316L Steel Applying the Armstrong-Frederick Kinematic Hardening Model.

The combination of kinematic and isotropic hardening models makes it possible to model the behaviour of cyclic elastic-plastic steel material, though the estimation of the hardening parameters and catching the influence of those parameters on the material response is a challenging task. In the current work, an approach for the numerical simulation of the low-cycle fatigue of AISI316L steel is presented using a finite element method to study the fatigue behaviour of the steel at different strain amplitudes and operating temperatures. Fully reversed uniaxial LCF tests are performed at different strain amplitudes and operating temperatures. Based on the LCF test experimental results, the non-linear isotropic and kinematic hardening parameters are estimated for numerical simulation. On comparing, the numerical simulation results were in very good agreement with those of the experimental ones. This presented method for the numerical simulation of the low-cycle fatigue on AISI316 stainless steel can be used for the approximate prediction of the fatigue life of the components under different cyclic loading amplitudes.

Experimental Characterization and Phase-Field Damage Modeling of Ductile Fracture in AISI 316L

(1) Modeling and characterization of ductile fracture in metals is still a challenging task in the field of computational mechanics. Experimental testing offers specific responses in the form of crack-mouth (CMOD) and crack-tip (CTOD) opening displacement related to applied force or crack growth. The main aim of this paper is to develop a phase-field-based Finite Element Method (FEM) implementation for modeling of ductile fracture in stainless steel. (2) A Phase-Field Damage Model (PFDM) was coupled with von Mises plasticity and a work-densities-based criterion was employed, with a threshold to propose a new relationship between critical fracture energy and critical total strain value. In addition, the threshold value of potential internal energy—which controls damage evolution—is defined from the critical fracture energy. (3) The material properties of AISI 316L steel are determined by a uniaxial tensile test and the Compact Tension (CT) specimen crack growth test. The PFDM model is validated against the experimental results obtained in the fracture toughness characterization test, with the simulation results being within 8% of the experimental measurements. (4) The novel implementation offers the possibility for better control of the ductile behavior of metallic materials and damage initiation, evolution, and propagation.

The Effect of Nitriding Temperature of AISI 316L Steel on Sub-Zero Corrosion Resistance in C2H5OH.

In this paper, glow nitriding processes at cathode potential are used at various temperatures to investigate how they affect the corrosion resistance of 316L steel in ethanol at temperatures of 22 °C and -30 °C. Lowering the test temperature reduces the corrosion rate of the nitrided layers. Conversely, glow nitriding at 450 °C improves the corrosion resistance of the tested steel. Increasing the nitriding temperature to 520 °C increases the corrosion rate. It should be noted that the ethyl alcohol solution, due to the lack of aggressive ions, does not cause significant changes in the corrosion rate of the steel. The value of the corrosion current varies in the range of 10-2-10-3 µA/cm2. Nitrided layers increase the contact angle measured for water and are entirely wettable for ethanol. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the nitriding temperature of AISI 316L steel on its corrosion resistance in an ethanol solution at room temperature and at -30 °C.

Quaternary nitrate and chloride molten salts for the next concentrating solar power plants: Corrosion considerations for the use of AISI 304L steel

The study addresses the advancement in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants by transitioning from binary nitrate salts to nitrate and chloride quaternary salts, focusing on the corrosivity of four salts as evaluated by immersion testing of AISI 304L stainless steel. Four compositions of salts were evaluated, from solar salt to equimolar NaNO3‐KNO3‐NaCl‐KCl, up to 21 days (500 h) at 500 °C in an open atmosphere, determining the corrosion kinetics using gravimetry. The morphology, chemical composition, and microstructure of the corrosion products were characterized using XRD, FESEM-EDS, and GD-OES. Exposure to the molten salt with 0 mol% Cl‐ (Solar Salt) resulted in negligible corrosion kinetics, consistent with previous studies. The salt with 14 mol% Cl‐ caused a stable corrosion product with a corrosion rate 30 times higher than without chloride. All quaternary salts exhibited a multilayer structure of the top surface with selective chromium (Cr) removal. Specimens exposed to salts with more than 29 mol% Cl‐ displayed a similar structure with Cr and iron (Fe) removal, resulting in more brittle layers and corrosion rates 90 to 250 times higher than the salt without chloride. GD-OES analysis confirmed Cl diffusion into the oxide layer, highlighting the role of pCl2(g) and pO2(g) in driving corrosivity. Based on the results, using in salts with 29 mol% Cl‐ at 500 °C is discouraged, while using 304L with 14 mol% Cl‐ in a cold tank may be considered.

NiCrBSi/WC Composite Claddings Processed on AISI 316L Steel Alloy by the Direct Laser Deposition Process: Studies on Dry Sliding Wear Behavior and Wear Mechanism Maps

Abstract This study presented the wear behavior of the NiCrBSi/WC composite claddings processed on an AISI 316L steel alloy substrate by laser cladding approach. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) morphology of the claddings has shown excellent substrate–cladding interface bonding, good WC particulate distribution, and no noticeable cracks and voids. The electron dispersion spectroscope (EDS) spectra have confirmed the presence of respective NiCrBSi alloy matrix and WC elements. The XRD spectra have identified various phases and compounds such as gamma-Ni, FeNi3, Ni3B, Cr23C6, Ni3Si, and W2C commonly in all the processed composite claddings. The microhardness of the claddings was measured between 791 and 1086 HV0.2 for increasing the reinforcement WC particulate percentage from 15 wt% to 60 wt%. It is about 470% surface hardness enhancement with the processed composite claddings compared with the substrate alloy. The reinforcement of WC from 15 wt% to 60 wt% with the composite claddings resulted in wear resistance enhancement from 21.85% to 60.64% and the coefficient of friction from 56.87% to 77.92% against the substrate. The wear-rate maps and their respective cladding's worn surface morphology have described the wear mechanisms typically as adhesive, abrasive, oxidation, and delamination. The wear mechanisms are mainly influenced by the WC particulate percentage. The increased WC particulate content has increased the dominance of the abrasive wear mechanism while reducing the window of the adhesive wear mechanism. The windows of various wear mechanisms and their ranges, such as adhesive 0.0033 to 0.028, abrasion 0.010 to 0.067, oxidation 0.012 to 0.093, and delamination 0.015 to 0.120 mm3/m, for NiCrBSi/WC composite claddings comprehensibly represented the wear behavior for the varied conditions of dry sliding wear parameters.

Improving the Tribological Properties of WE43 and WE54 Magnesium Alloys by Deep Cryogenic Treatment with Precipitation Hardening in Linear Reciprocating Motion.

This paper presents the results of tribological tests on WE43 and WE54 magnesium alloys with rare earth metals performed in linear reciprocating motion for four different material couples (AISI 316-L steel, silicon nitride-Si3N4, WC tungsten carbide, and zirconium dioxide-ZrO2). Additionally, magnesium alloys were subjected to a complex heat treatment consisting of precipitation hardening combined with a deep cryogenic treatment. The study presents the effect of deep cryogenic treatment combined with precipitation hardening on the tribological properties of WE43 and WE54 alloys. Tribological tests revealed the most advantageous results for the magnesium alloy-AISI 316-L steel friction node. For both alloys tested after heat treatment, a nearly 2-fold reduction in specific wear rate has been achieved. Furthermore, microscopic examinations of the wear track areas and wear products were performed, and the wear mechanisms and types of wear products occurring in linear reciprocating friction were determined. Wear measurements were taken using the 3D profilometric method and compared with the results obtained from calculations performed in accordance with ASTM G133 and ASTM D7755, which were modified to improve the accuracy of the calculation results (the number of measured profiles was increased from four to eight). Appropriately selected calculation methods allow for obtaining reliable tribological test results and enabling the verification of both the most advantageous heat treatment variant and material couple, which results in an increase in the durability of the tested alloys.

A dissimilar welded joint of grade 92 steel and AISI 304L steel obtained using IN82 buttering and IN617 filler: relationship of microstructure and mechanical properties

A dissimilar welded joint of grade 92 steel and AISI 304L steel obtained using IN82 buttering and IN617 filler: relationship of microstructure and mechanical properties

Study of the Corrosion Behavior of Stainless Steel in Food Industry.

AISI 304L stainless steel is widely used in the processing equipment and food and beverage handling industries due to its corrosion resistance, hygienic properties, and cost-effectiveness. However, it is prone to pitting and crevice corrosion phenomena, the development of which can be influenced by factors such as chloride concentration, temperature, humidity, and bacterial presence. Surface treatments, including roughness levels and residual tensile stress, can significantly affect the corrosion behavior and resistance of the material. This study aims to evaluate the impact of three different surface treatments on the durability of AISI 304L steel. The correlation between surface roughness resulting from pre-treatment and pitting potential values will be examined. Additionally, the influence of different concentrations of biocide additives on surface durability will be assessed to determine the maximum effective concentration for preventing pitting phenomena. Passivation processes will also be evaluated as a potential solution for improving the pitting potential and overall durability of the components. By optimizing surface treatments and biocide concentrations, improved corrosion resistance and durability can be achieved, ensuring the long-term performance and reliability of AISI 304L steel components in critical applications such as food processing and beverage handling.

High strain rate induced shear banding within additively manufactured AISI 316L

The effects of post-processing via cold/hot rotary swaging, combined with high strain rate deformation, on formation of shear bands and deformation induced martensite within AISI 316L steel prepared by Selective Laser Melting are investigated. The as-built sample exhibited randomly oriented grains and residual porosity, which was reduced/eliminated by rotary swaging and subsequent high strain rate deformation. Hand in hand with significant changes in grain morphology after swaging (grain elongation and refinement, especially under cold conditions) and high strain rate processing (formation of shear bands and deformation induced martensite), the combined deformation imparted substantial hardening and resulted in microhardness increase by more than 20 %, primarily due to the occurring martensitic transformation. The structure changes were observed especially for the cold processed sample, due to aggravated plastic flow and hindered movement of generated partial dislocations.

Corrosion resistance of the modified surface of AISI 316L steel

The paper is devoted to the study of the effect of laser processing on the wettability and corrosion resistance of the surface of experimental samples made of AISI 316L sheet steel and samples made by printing from AISI 316L steel powder using selective laser melting technology. As a result of the studies, it was established that laser texturing of the relief with the subsequent formation of molecular layers of surfactants on a steel surface helps to achieve higher contact angle values, however, such treatment leads to a decrease in corrosion resistance.

On reducing the rate of deposit formation on the AISI 316L steel surface

The article is devoted to the investigation of the rate of deposit formation on the hydrophobic modified surface of experimental samples made of AISI 316L sheet steel and samples of AISI 316L steel powder printed using selective laser melting technology. A saturated solution of CaCO3 was used as a model medium during the research. The research established that hydrophobization of the surface of AISI 316L steel based on laser texturing with the subsequent formation of molecular layers of surfactants can significantly reduce the rate of deposit formation.

Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma Carburization on Fretting Wear Behavior of AISI 316L Stainless Steel

AISI 316L stainless steel has received considerable attention as a common material for key ball valve components; however, its properties cannot be improved through traditional phase transformation, and fretting wears the contact interface between valve parts. A carburized layer was prepared on the surface of AISI 316L stainless steel by using double-glow low-temperature plasma carburization technology. This study reveals the effect of double-glow low-temperature plasma carburization technology on the fretting wear mechanism of AISI 316L steel under different normal loads and displacements. The fretting wear behavior and energy dissipation of the AISI 316L steel and the carburized layer were studied on an SRV-V fretting friction and wear machine with ball–plane contact. The wear mark morphology was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the phase structure of the carburized layer was characterized with X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and the wear profile and wear volume were evaluated with laser confocal microscopy. The carburized layer contains a single Sc phase, a uniform and dense structure, and a metallurgically combined matrix. After plasma carburizing, the sample exhibited a maximum surface hardness of 897 ± 18 HV0.2, which is approximately four times higher than that of the matrix (273 ± 33 HV0.2). Moreover, the surface roughness was approximately doubled. The wear depth, wear rate, and frictional dissipation energy coefficient of the carburized layer were significantly reduced by up to approximately an order of magnitude compared with the matrix, while the wear resistance and fretting wear stability of the carburized layer were significantly improved. Under different load conditions, the wear mechanism of the AISI 316L steel changed from adhesive wear and abrasive wear to adhesive wear, fatigue delamination, and abrasive wear. Meanwhile, the wear mechanism of the carburized layer changed from adhesive wear to adhesive wear and fatigue delamination, accompanied by a furrowing effect. Under variable displacement conditions, both the AISI 316L steel and carburized layer mainly exhibited adhesive wear and fatigue peeling. Oxygen elements accumulated in the wear marks of the AISI 316L steel and carburized layer, indicating oxidative wear. The fretting wear properties of the AISI 316L steel and carburized layer were determined using the coupled competition between mechanical factors and thermochemical factors. Low-temperature plasma carburization technology improved the stability of the fretting wear process and changed the fretting regime of the AISI 316L steel and could be considered as anti-wearing coatings of ball valves.