Structure and Mechanical Properties of Aging Nonmagnetic Stainless Steels.

A possibility of raising the yield point to 100-110 kg/mm**2 while retaining satisfactory plasticity ( delta equals 20-40%) of stainless nonmagnetic steels containing up to 0. 07% C, 15-26% Cr, 7-9% Ni, 13-18% Mn, 1. 2-2. 0% V and 0. 6-1. 0% N, after hardening from 1200 degree C and aging at the temperature of 650 degree C is demonstrated. Using microstructural and X-ray structural analysis of specimens, as well as by means of electron microscopic examination of thin foils, of the steels after hardening from 1200 degree C and aging at the temperature of 650 degree C, it is found that considerable hardening of these steels is due to the separation in the course of aging, of spherical particles of the nitrides VN, 30-100 A in dia. These particles are uniformly distributed over the volume of the austenitic matrix with the grain size of note more than 20 mu m.