Effect of the cold deformation regime on microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 301LN stainless steel

This study analyzed the effect of cold-rolling reduction(in a wide range of 10%-80%) and subsequent annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 301 LN stainless steel.Results indicated the formation of shear bands and nucleation of strain-induced α’-martensite at their intersections.The volume fraction of α’-martensite increased with increase in cold-rolling reduction by the continuous growth of embryos.This,in turn,resulted in an increase in yield and tensile strengths.The reversion of α’-martensite to austenite occurred after subsequent annealing.The observed variation in the grain size of reversed austenite can be related to the annealing regime.A good combination of strength and ductility can be obtained upon annealing at 650℃ for 30 min.The effect of grain size on yield strength conformed to the Hall-Petch relationship in the entire range of our analysis.