The Influence of Homogenization and Solution Annealing Process on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 1.4470 Ferritic-austenitic Stainless Steel

In the present research, the effect of the homogenization process and annealing temperature were investigated for the 1.4470 ferritic-austenitic stainless steel in the as-cast condition. In this regard, microstructural evolutions, hardness, and impact energy of the steel was evaluated with different heat treatment conditions. The results show that the minimum volume fraction of austenite phase (about 42%) was formed in as-cast condition; while the maximum content of austenite phase can be achieved by annealing at 1010 °C for 45 min. without the homogenizing process (about 56%). Moreover, a good combination of impact energy and hardness was obtained by homogenizing at 1120°C/45 min. and subsequent annealing at 1010°C/15 min. followed by oil quenching. In this condition, the same volume fraction of the ferrite and austenite phase has been formed in the microstructure. and subsequent annealing at 1010°C/15 min. followed by oil quenching. In this condition, the same volume fraction of the ferrite and austenite phase has been formed in the microstructure.