Enhanced ductility in dynamic strain aging regime in a Fe-25Ni-20Cr austenitic stainless steel

Contrary to the commonly observed embrittlement during dynamic strain aging, we report in this note distinct enhancement in ductility in a Nb-containing and nitrogen stabilized Fe-25(wt%)Ni-20Cr austenitic stainless steel (Alloy 709) at temperatures from 623 K to 873 K at 10(-4) s(-1) where serrated flow is noted. This observation is rationalized in terms of the influence of strain hardening parameters and strain rate sensitivity on uniform elongation and ductility respectively.