The Effect of Cold Rolling on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a New Cr-Mn Austenitic Stainless Steel in Comparison with AISI 316 Stainless Steel

In the present study the effect of room temperature rolling on microstructure and mechanical properties of a new Cr-Mn austenitic stainless steel (containing 12 %Cr, 23 %Mn and 0.13 %C) and AISI 316 steel was investigated. The specimens of these steels were cold rolled at various thickness reductions of 0, 12, 25, 37 and 50 %. Microstructural investigations were carried out using optical microscopy, magnetic field test and X-ray diffraction technique. Hardness and tensile test methods were also done to evaluate the mechanical properties. Results showed that some of austenite phase transformed to martensite during cold rolling in the 316 steel, while there was no strain induced transformation in the Cr-Mn steel. It was also found that the newly developed steel had higher strength and higher specific strength than those of the 316 steel, while its ductility was the same as that of the 316.