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The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of strain-induced martensite (SIM) and its reversal on metastable austenitic stainless steel (MASSs) through the analysis of metallurgical and sensitisation behaviour.

In the present investigation, the samples of Cr-Mn ASS (also known as MASSs) including 15%, 30% and 50% cold worked, solution annealed samples with and without thermal ageing (at 700°C for 3 h) were analysed with the help of X-ray diffraction analysis, microstructure examination and electrochemical behaviour. The scanning electron microscope (SEMJOEL 6380 A) was used to examine the microstructure of the sample, and the double-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation test was used to determine the degree of sensitisation (DOS) in the samples. The cold worked solution annealed samples without thermal ageing are named as CR15, CR30 and CR50, respectively, and the samples with thermal ageing are named as CR15_TA, CR30_TA and CR50_TA, respectively.

In CR15, CR30 and CR50 samples, the DOS increased with increase in the extent of cold working, which was attributable to passivation deterioration. Because of the high degree of passivation at the grain boundaries, the DOS of CR15_TA and CR30_TA were practically identical. The DOS in the CR50_TA sample, on the other hand, was lowered due to SIM recovery in the austenite.

The present study sheds light on how to choose the right cold working percentage to avoid sensitisation in MASSs during the fabrication of metal forming components.

The purpose of this work is to apply a recently proposed constitutive model for mechanically induced martensitic transformations to the prediction of transformation loci. Additionally, this study aims to elucidate if a stress-assisted criterion can account for transformations in the so-called strain-induced regime.

The model is derived by generalising the stress-based criterion of Patel and Cohen (1953), relying on lattice information obtained using the Phenomenological Theory of Martensite Crystallography. Transformation multipliers (cf. plastic multipliers) are introduced, from which the martensite volume fraction evolution ensues. The associated transformation functions provide a variant selection mechanism. Austenite plasticity follows a classical single crystal formulation, to account for transformations in the strain-induced regime. The resulting model is incorporated into a fully implicit RVE-based computational homogenisation finite element code.

Results show good agreement with experimental data for a meta-stable austenitic stainless steel. In particular, the transformation locus is well reproduced, even in a material with considerable slip plasticity at the martensite onset, corroborating the hypothesis that an energy-based criterion can account for transformations in both stress-assisted and strain-induced regimes.

A recently developed constitutive model for mechanically induced martensitic transformations is further assessed and validated. Its formulation is fundamentally based on a physical metallurgical mechanism and derived in a thermodynamically consistent way, inheriting a consistent mechanical dissipation. This model draws on a reduced number of phenomenological elements and is a step towards the fully predictive modelling of materials that exhibit such phenomena.

Effect of grain size on degree of sensitization (DOS) was been evaluated in Nickel free steel. Manganese and nitrogen contained alloy is a Ni-free austenitic stainless steels (ASS) having type 202 grade. The main purpose of this investigation is to find the effect of recrystallization on the DOS of stainless steel after the thermo-mechanical processing (cold work and thermal aging).

In the present investigation, the deformation of 202 grade analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructural testing. Optical microstructure of Ni-free ASS has been done for cold worked samples with thermally aged at 900°C_6 h. Double loop electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation test used for findings of degree of sensitization.

Ni-free ASS appears to be deformed more rapidly due to its higher stacking fault energy which gave results in rapid transformation from strain induced martensite to austenite in form of recrystallized grains, i.e. it concluded that as cold work percentage increases more rapidly recrystallization occurs. XRD results also indicate that more fraction of martensite formed as percentage of CW increases but as thermal aging reverted those all martensite to austenite. So investigation gives the conclusion which suggests that with high deformation at higher temperature and duration gives very less DOS.

Various literatures available for 300 series steel related to the effect of cold work on mechanical properties and sensitization mechanism. However, no one has investigated the effect of recrystallization through thermomechanical processing on the sensitization of nickel-free steel.

This paper aims to review the effect of traditional shot peening (SP), laser shock peening (LSP) and water jet cavitation peening (WJP) on microstructure evolution and corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steels 316L and 304.

The effect of SP, LSP and WJP on corrosion behavior of 316L and 304 were discussed in terms of surface peening–induced change in surface roughness, stress state and grain size.

Residual compressive stress and grain refinement were introduced after SP, LSP and WJP treatment in 316L and 304 stainless steels. Superior corrosion resistance can be obtained by WJP compared with SP and LSP.

The relationship between SP-, LSP- and WJP-induced change in microstructure and stress state and corrosion resistance was summarized.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of deformation-induced martensite on electrochemical corrosion behaviors of 304 austenitic stainless steel in a simulated primary water environment of a pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant with boric acid and lithium hydroxide contaminated with chloride by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott–Schotty curves and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

The effects of deformation-induced martensite transformation on electrochemical corrosion behaviors of 304 austenitic stainless steel was investigated in a simulated primary water environment of a pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant with boric acid and lithium hydroxide contaminated with 0.1 M Cl⁻ by potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, Mott–Schotty curves and XPS in this paper.

The results revealed that the martensitic phase contents increased with the level of cold deformation. The general corrosion current density and the corrosion potential increased and decreased, respectively, with the increase of cold deformation degree. However, the pitting potential decreased as the cold deformation increased up to 20 per cent, then a slight increase was observed at 35 per cent cold working. It was found from Mott–Schottky curves and XPS analysis that as the cold deformation degree increased from 0 to 35 per cent, the doping concentrations of the oxide films increased; however, the film thickness decreased, which indicates that both density and integrity of the films are degraded significantly as the deformation degree increases, and this ultimately contributes to the significant increment of the general corrosion rate and reduction of the pitting corrosion resistance.

The effects of deformation-induced martensite transformation on electrochemical corrosion behaviors of 304 austenitic stainless steel was investigated in a simulated primary water environment of a pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant with boric acid and lithium hydroxide contaminated with 0.1 M Cl⁻ by potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, Mott–Schotty curves and XPS in this paper.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of prior cold work after annealing and thermal ageing on intergranular corrosion or sensitization of Cr-Mn austenitic stainless steel (ASS) is necessary. Such a study is particularly important because ASS are mostly used and welded in mill-annealed condition, which is equivalent to fully annealed material with some cold worked (CW).

The effect of 15% CW of 202 ASS were investigated using microstructural (optical microscope), mechanical (grain size and hardness) and electrochemical methods (double loop electrochemical reactivation [DLEPR]) followed by thermal ageing (800°C, 900°C and 1000°C).

X-ray diffraction analysis shows the presence of martensite in CW samples. The increase in martensite formation (800°C and 900°C) can be observed with the variation of thermal ageing (TA) duration (1, 2 and 3 h). However, there was decreased in the formation of martensite at the temperature of 1000°C because of martensitic reversal. The DLEPR test result shows higher degree of sensitization (DOS) for 800°C and 900°C but for 1000°C, there was re-homogenization of samples which leads to lower DOS (thermal ageing for 1, 2 and 3 h).

For 300 series steel, there are various literature available for the effect of cold work on mechanical properties and DOS. However, no one has investigated the effect of cold work and thermal ageing on the sensitization of 202 Cr-Mn ASS.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effect of δ-ferrite on the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement of type 304 stainless steel in hydrogen gas environment.

The mechanical properties of as-received and solution-treated specimens were investigated by the test of tensile and fatigue crack growth (FCG) in 5 MPa argon and hydrogen.

The presence of δ-ferrite reduced the relative elongation and the relative reduction area (H₂/Ar) of 304 stainless steel, indicating that δ-ferrite increased the susceptibility of hydrogen embrittlement in 304 stainless steel. Moreover, δ-ferrite promoted the fatigue crack initiation and propagation at the interface between δ-ferrite and austenite. The FCG tests were used to investigate the effect of δ-ferrite on the FCG rate in hydrogen gas environment, and it was found that δ-ferrite accelerated the FCG rate, which was attributed to rapid diffusion and accumulation of hydrogen around the fatigue crack tip through δ-ferrite in high-pressure hydrogen gas environment.

The dependence of the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement on δ-ferrite was first investigated in type 304 steel in hydrogen environment with high pressures, which provided the basis for the design and development of a high strength, hydrogen embrittle-resistant austenitic stainless steel.

Specimens of 304 stainless steel with various martensite contents were prepared by a low temperature (−70°C) elongation method. Optical microscopy and transmission electron micrography were used to study the phase structure of the samples. A simulated occluded cell (OC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the chemical and the electrochemical changes within pits on 304 stainless steel containing the different martensite contents. The EIS results showed that the martensite phase decreased not only the solution resistance in pit, but also the polarization resistance value between metal and solution in pit. The composition of the passive film in OC solution was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was observed that martensite transformation was a very important factor in changing the composition of the passive film. The martensite phase destroyed the integrality and compactness of the passive film. For these reasons, pit propagation in Type 304 stainless steel was accelerated with increasing martensite content.

12Cr2Mo1R(H) steel is commonly used to make hot-wall hydrogenation reactors given its excellent mechanical properties and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) resistance. Longtime exposure to high-pressure hydrogen at medium temperature would still severely damage the mechanical properties of the Cr-Mo steel with surface HICs caused by hydrogen adsorption and hydrogen uptake. The mechanisms of HE remain controversial and have not been fully understood so far.

The HE of the steel was investigated by slow strain rate test at different strain rates with in situ hydrogen charging. The diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the steel is measured by electrochemical technology of hydrogen permeation. HIC cracks of the fractured specimens were captured with field emission SEM equipped with an electron backscatter diffraction system.

Results showed that the hydrogen led to the plasticity of the samples reduced significantly, together with the distinct work hardening behavior induced by hydrogen charging during plastic flow stage. The fracture of in situ charged sample changes from quasi-cleavage to intergranular fracture with the decreasing of strain rates, which indicates that the steel become more susceptible to hydrogen. High densities of dislocations and deformation are found around the crack, where grains are highly sensitive to HIC. Grains with different Taylor factor are more susceptible to intergranular crack.

The results of the study would be helpful to a safer application of the steel.

This study used laser melting techniques to improve the intergranular corrosion resistance of cold worked and sensitised stainless steel surfaces. Type 316 stainless steel specimens, cold worked to 5 per cent, 10 per cent and 20 per cent reductions in thickness values, were sensitised at 923K for 25 hours. These specimens were laser‐surface‐melted by using a 300W Nd:YAG pulsed laser, and tested according to ASTM A262 practice A and practice E tests. The results of the practice A test showed that a cellular‐dendritic structure was present in the laser‐melted region in contrast to a typical ditch microstructure observed for sensitised unmelted specimens and a ditch structure was not present in the melt‐affected zone (MAZ). The hardness measurements across the melted, MAZ, and unmelted zones showed significant variations in their values. The results of the practice E tests showed no intergranular cracks for laser‐melted specimens while the unmelted specimens (5 and 10 per cent cold working) failed the test through significant cracking. The improvement in IGC resistance is attributed to the dissolution of M₂₃C₆ carbides and the homogenisation of chromium‐depleted regions.