DETERMINATION OF STACKING-FAULT ENERGY OF AUSTENITE IN A DUPLEX STAINLESS-STEEL

A determination of stacking fault energy (SFE) of the austenite phase of a duplex stainless steel, material no. 1.4462, has been carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore,cold rollin g tests and microstructural analysis have been realized in order to al low a detailed discussion of the obtained SFE-values. The results of t his investigation indicate that the stacking fault energy of the auste nite phase within the duplex stainless steel is lower than those of si ngle-phase austenitic stainless steels. This is justified by the chemi cal composition; mainly by the Cr and Ni alloying contents. Neverthele ss, work hardening of the austenite during cold deformation is not as accentuated as expected by the low SFE-values, because at higher defor mation levels the deformation mainly occurs within the ferrite phase.