Influences of aging heat treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Fe-Cr-Mn type stainless steels

This work dealt with the effect of aging treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Fe-Cr-Mn type stainless steels. Computer assisted phase analysis and metallurgical evaluation were conducted to characterize the effects of aging. It was shown from the result of computer assisted phase analysis that stable phases were austenite and carbide(M23C6). As Mn content increased and aging temperature was lowered, sigma phase was more stable. Increasing aging temperature, the content of austenite phase was increased and the content of martensite was decreased, but the formation of sigma phase wasn't detected in this work. Increasing aging time and temperature, tensile strength and elongation were decreased. Impact energy and hardness were decreased when Mn content of the alloys increased. Increasing Mn content of the alloys, primary passive current density was lowered and secondary passive current density was decreased