Microstructure of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel by cryogenic compression deformation and annealing

This paper attempts to study the microstructures of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel subjected to compression deformation at liquid-nitrogen temperature and room temperature and subsequently annealing. The microstructure of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel subjected to compression deformation of 60% reduction at liquid-nitrogen temperature composes of two phases, deformation-induced martensite and austenite, with morphology of nanoscale laths ranging 20–80 nm in width. For the sample of room-temperature compression deformation in 60% reduction, the microstructure composes of mainly austenitic deformation twin with the average thickness of about 200 nm and a few amount of deformation-induced martensite and stacking faults. Nearly nanograined microstructures can be obtained in the two deformed samples by annealing at 580 °C for 30 min. Deformation at liquid-nitrogen temperature for the steel can have a positive effect on developing high-angle boundaries.