The study of strengthening of ausformed 13 Cr steel

The effect of ausforming on the strengthening of 13 Cr steel (JIS SUS 420J1) was studied. Plastic deformation of metastable austenite increased the hardness and strength of the subsequently formed martensite. The increases in hardness, yield and tensile strength were propotional to the degree of deformation with some sacrifice of ductility. On tempering, these increments were remained, and the secondary hardening was decreased with increasing deformation degree. These results can be interpreted as being attributed to a direct transfer of cellular substructures formed in deformed metastable austenite to mastensite phase during martensitic transformation. (Author)