Modelling kinetics of strain-induced martensite transformation during plastic deformation of austenitic stainless steel

Abstract A model to simulate the kinetics of formation of strain-induced martensite ( α  ′ ) in austenitic stainless steel (SS) 304 is derived. The model predicts sigmoidal behaviour of the γ  →  α ′ transformation. The model was successfully applied to various levels of α ′ obtained after cold-rolling of type 304 SS and to many previously reported experimental data set with the volume fraction of α ′ as high as 1.0. This model was compared with two other sigmoidal models and it was shown that the fitting parameters for the proposed model can be correlated to physical parameters associated with γ  →  α ′ transformation. The fitting parameters of the model consist of the saturated level of α ′ for a given condition, the strain value associated with the maximum rate of γ  →  α ′ transformation, and a parameter that characterises the rate of γ  →  α ′ transformation.