Effect of Heat Treatment Processes on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nb-Ti-Stabilized 430 Stainless Steel Plate

Abstract

In this research, influence of annealing process on microstructure and mechanical performance of Nb-Ti-stabilized 430 ferritic stainless steel were investigated. In order to obtain the optimal annealing process, metallographic observation, SEM detection and tensile test were carried out. It is found that the microscopic structure is composed of fine and uniform isometric recrystallization grain after annealing. Optimum microstructure and mechanical properties can be achieved while annealed at 950 °Cfor 90 seconds. The annealed sample can obtain the optimum microstructure and mechanical properties under such annealing process. The yield platform is eliminated and the average plastic strain ratio is further improved to 1.269, which reflected a well deep drawability of the Nb-Ti-stabilized 430 ferritic stainless steel compared to SUS 430 stainless steel.