Effect of Carbon and Nitrogen on Work-hardening Behavior in Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel

The effects of C and N on the work-hardening behaviors were compared in metastable austenitic steels which varied amounts separately added (Fe-18%Cr-8%Ni-(C,N) alloys). Although both suppressed deformation-induced martensitic transformation during tensile deformation due to their austenite-stabilizing effect, they enhanced work hardening steels. Comparison C-added N-added revealed that addition more increased rate than addition. In order clarify reason significant effect C, individual hardness deformed austenite martensite (DIM) measured cold-rolled by using a nano-indentation tester. nanohardness with increasing thickness reduction amount N. However, there is little difference between behavior austenite, meaning steel not derived from but DIM. DIM was significantly higher steel, thus, main factor affecting 0.1C should be considered C-containing addition, steels, an excellent strength-ductility balance achieved because hard gradually formed until later stage deformation, pronounced TRIP obtained