Recrystallization study of the 348 stainless steel

The 300 steel series is used in several industrial segments. One important application of this steels are in primary circuit of pressurized water nuclear reactors, and in some cases, as nuclear fuel cladding. During the fabrication, some austenitic stainless steels undergoes through a strain-induced martensitic transformation, which changes their microstructures and as consequence, their properties. The stability of the austenitic phase under scientific debate, especially when these materials are subjected to environment of a nuclear reactor. One way to improve the resistance of these materials to irradiation damages are through the addition of alloying elements like, Co, Nb, Ti and Ta. The 348 stainless steel receives the addition of Nb, Co and Ta to enhance the resistance to radiation induced precipitation, but these elements also could promote the precipitation of G phase in the strain-induced martensite. This work intends to study the recrystallization process of the cold formed AISI 348. (author)