Residual Ferrite and Relationship Between Composition and Microstructure in High-Nitrogen Austenitic Stainless Steels

A series of high-nitrogen stainless steels (HNS) containing delta-ferrite, which often retained in HNS, were studied to establish the relationship between composition and microstructure. Both ferrite and nitrogen depletions were found in the center regions of cast ingots, and the depletion of nitrogen in that area was found to be the main reason for the existence of d-ferrite. Because of the existence of heterogeneity, the variation of microstructure with nitrogen content was detected. Hence, the critical contents of nitrogen (CCN) for the fully austenitic HNS were obtained. Then the effects of elements such as N, Cr, Mn, and Mo on austenite stability were investigated via thermodynamic calculations. The CCN of HNS alloys were also obtained by calculations. Comparing the CCN obtained from experiment and calculation, it was found that the forged microstructure of the HNS was close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. To elucidate the above relationship, by regression analysis using calculated thermodynamic data, nitrogen equivalent and a new constitution diagram were proposed. The constitution diagram accurately distinguishes the austenitic single-phase region and the austenite + ferrite dual-phase region. The nitrogen equivalent and the new constitution diagram can be used for alloying design and microstructural prediction in HNS. According to the nitrogen equivalent, the ferrite stabilizing ability of Mo is weaker than Cr, and with Mn content increases, Mn behaves as a weak austenite stabilizer first and then as a ferrite stabilizer. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2015