Effect of sensitization on structure and properties of non conventional stainless steel
Keywords:
Non-conventional stainless steel, Sensitization, Microstructure, Tensile strength, Wear.Abstract
This investigation aims to study the effect of sensitization on the microstructure and the
mechanical properties of a non- conventional austenitic stainless steel with special emphasis on
wear properties. A set of samples of the steel have been given sensitization treatment up to
varying extents. The wear behavior of the non- conventional stainless steel is determined by
using the ball on plate wear testing machine, with varying loads and sliding distances. It is
observed that the height loss due to wear increases with increase in sensitization time, applied
load and sliding distance. The supporting reason of these results have been discussed in terms of
the depletion of solid solution strengtheners due to diffusion of these elements from the austenite
matrix to the grain boundary, and the increase in carbide and nitride precipitates at the grain
boundary with increasing sensitization time of the investigated steel sample. Marginal reduction
in tensile strength has been attributed to possible transformation of austenite to strain induced
martensite. The investigation of the worn out surface of the non- conventional stainless steel with
field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) shows that the wear mechanism can be
classified under abrasive wear.
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