Deformation Behavior of Nitrogen Bearing Austenitic Steels with Various Nitrogen Contents

Tensile deformation behavior of the high-nitrogen austenitic Fe-18Cr-14Mn-4Ni-3MoxN steel with various nitrogen contents has been studied. The nitrogen content of the steel varied from 0.28 to 0.88 wt. %. Nitrogen atoms in high nitrogen steel (HNS) make an interstitial solid solution by being scattered in the steel constituting a short-range order. They strengthen the austenite matrix without deteriorating ductility of the steel. The present investigation was carried out to elucidate the hardening and plasticizing role of the nitrogen in the HNS by analyzing tensile deformation behavior of the steel containing various nitrogen contents. Tensile tests of the steel specimens were performed at room temperature with a constant strain rate of 5x10-5/sec. Microstructure of the tested specimens was analyzed to explore the deformation mechanism of the HNS as a function of nitrogen contents. The flow stress of the steel increased with the increase of the nitrogen content; however, the specimen with the highest nitrogen content (0.88 wt. %) showed saturated strength and reduced ductility. The superior mechanical property of the HNS was explained by the low stacking fault energy and the twin-induced plasticity provoked by the nitrogen.