The stacking fault energy of the austenite phase of the duplex stainless steel was determined by means of transmission electron microscopy. Cold-rolling tests and microstructural analyses were performed in order to evaluate the values of the stacking fault energy. The results indicated that the stacking fault energy of the austenite phase within the duplex stainless steel was lower than the values for single-phase austenitic stainless steels. This was attributed to the chemical composition; especially the Cr and Ni contents. The work hardening of the austenite during cold deformation was not as great as expected on the basis of the low stacking fault energies because, at higher deformation levels, deformation occurred mainly within the ferrite phase.

W.Reick, M.Pohl, A.F.Padilha: Steel Research, 1996, 67[6], 253-6