High-cycle fatigue behavior of high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel

High-cycle fatigue property and fractograph of a high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel, Fe24Mn13Cr0.44N, were investigated at room temperature. Results show that its fatigue strength is 341 MPa and number of cycle exceeds 107, which are no less than those of Fe–Cr–Ni series steel, such as 316L. The fatigue strength is mainly enhanced by Mn and N and they also have effects on fractograph. They can increase stacking fault energy and thus shorten the inter-fatigue striation distance. Moreover, they are the main reason for deformation twin grains and slipping bands with inter-crossangle of 60° on cleavage facet.