Mechanical Properties of Bulk Nanocrystalline Austenitic Stainless Steels Produced by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Bulk nanocrystalline 304L and 316L austenitic stainless steels (SS) were produced by equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) at elevated temperature. The average grain size achieved in 316L and 304 L SS is ~ 100 nm, and grain refinement occurs more rapid in 316 L SS than that in 304L. Also the structures are shown to retain a predominant austenite phase. Hardness increases by a factor of about 2.5 in both steels due largely to grain refinement and an introduction of a high density of dislocations. Tensile strength of nanocrystalline steels exceeds 1 GPa with good ductility in both systems. Mechanical properties of ECAPed 316L are also shown to have less dependence on strain rate than ECAPed 304L. ECAPed steels were shown to exhibit thermal stability up to 600oC as indicated by retention of high hardness in annealed specimens. Furthermore, there is an increased tolerance to radiation-induced hardening in the nanocrystalline equiaxed materials subjected to 100 keV He ions at an average dose of 3-4 displacement-per-atom level at room temperature. The large volume fraction of high angle grain boundaries may be vital for enhanced radiation tolerance. These nanocrystalline SSs show promise for further research in radiation resistant structural materials for next-generation nuclear reactor systems