Strain-induced martensitic transformation in type 321 austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

Strain-induced martensitic transformation in AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel was studied by means of compression, tension and friction tests at room temperature. Compression and tensile tests were done in air and friction tests were realised by using a pin-on-disk apparatus in deionised water. The strain-induced volume fraction of -martensite determined by X-ray diffraction analysis was correlated with different imposed pressures and tensile strams. It seems evident that strain induced - martensite increases as a function of the normal force and the number of rotations after friction tests; however, the role of sliding rate was negligible. The results were completed by values of friction coefficients. The strain-induced martensite formation is subject to hardening mechanism, which may contribute to cumulative damage of pin-on-disk friction specimens.