Generation of Nanostructures on 316L Stainless Steel and Its Effect on Mechanical Behavior

Abstract

Improved mechanical behavior of surface nanostructured metallic materials produced by means of a surface mechanical attrition treatment (S.M.A.T) is investigated experimentally. Based on microscopic observations and residual stress measurements, factors leading to the high strength and yielding are discussed. The effects due to treatment, as compressive residual stresses, are in that way studied for a better understanding of their influence on the global mechanical response of the nanostructured material. In regards of this, a simple way to increase the ductility of such a nanostructured material is also presented.