Strengthening of austenitic steel

1. High-temperature deformation and quenching increase the strength of austenitic manganese steel considerably without the formation of the α-phase: the yield strength of the steel not subjected to dispersional hardening is increased more than three times, while the yield strength of dispersionally hardened steel is increased 25%. 2. The combination of different treatments with dispersional hardening makes it possible to change the mechanical properties within wide limits. The strengthening resulting from the combined treatment is due essentially to the increased dispersional hardening resulting from preliminary deformation and to the cold hardening of austenitic steel. 3. Altenating deformation and intermediate relaxation or recrystallization of precooled austenite increases the strength considerably. Certain treatments of this type are technically easy and very promising for industrial use. 4. An important condition of the success of this combined treatment of steels which can be dispersionally hardened is the prevention of the precipitation and coagulation of carbides before deformation of the austenite.