Optimization of Strength and Ductility in Ultra-Fine 304 Stainless Steel after Equal-Channel Angular Processing

Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel were investigated which was subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). Tensile strength, elongation, Vickers hardness of as-ECAPed and annealed ECAPed 304 stainless steel were systematically measured and compared and microstructure evolution during ECAP and ECAP+annealing was observed by OM and TEM. It was found that with the increasing of ECAP passes, the grain size of stainless steel was effectively refined to nanoscale, such as about 50 nm after 8 ECAP-passes. In addition, the dislocation density in ECAPed samplel increased greatly, consequently, the tensile strength and hardness of ECAPed 304 stainless steel increased and elongation decreased remarkably. After annealing at 600°C for 10 min，the ductility of ECAPed stainless steel was improved greatly while grains did not have obvious growth, and strength did not change much. The above results showed that the optimization of strength and ductility in ultra-fined 304 stainless steel can be achieved by appropriate ECAP plus annealing processes.