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 homogenization process and annealing temperature were investigated for the 1.4470 ferritic-austenitic stainless steel in as-cast condition. In this regard, microstructural evolutions, hardness and impact energy of the steel was evaluated with different heat treatment conditions. The results showed that the minimum volume fraction of austenite phase (about 42%) was formed in as-cast condition; while the maximum content of austenite phase could be achieving by annealing at 1010 °C for 45 min without homogenizing process (about 56%). Moreover, a good combination of impact energy and hardness were obtained by homogenizing at 1120 °C for 45 min and subsequent annealing at 1010 °C for15 min followed by oil quenching. In this condition, the same volume fraction of ferrite and austenite phase formed in the microstructure.