D. C. Ludwigson
Published: 1961
Total Pages: 186
Get eBook
The semiaustenitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steels remain austenitic on cooling rom a solution heat treatment at about 1950 F. In this form they are readily fabricable. Subsequent treatment at about 1400 or at about 1725 F depletes the austenite of Cr and C to the extent that martensite forms on cooling to room temperature or -100 F, respectively. Final hardening is effected by tempering, or aging, at 750 to 1100 F. The semiaustenitic precipitation-hardenable stainless steels may be obtained as transformed at the mill by cold rolling. In this condition they lack the good formability of solution-heat-treated material. However, the fabricator need only temper them to obtain very high strengths. These steels have a combination of good formability, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance that is not easily matched by other materials.