CONSIDERATION OF REDUCED NICKEL-CONTAINING AUSTENITIC STAINLESS-STEELS FOR FORMING APPLICATIONS

The ductility and deep drawability of three austenitic stainless steel s containing low nickel levels (5.5 wt%) and copper additions (0, 1.3 and 3.3 wt% respectively) are reported. The formation of deformation-i nduced martensite leads to enhanced tensile ductility but results in t he occurrence of delayed cracking after drawing when no copper is pres ent. The corrosion rate of the alloys was investigated after ageing at 700-degrees-C in view of the possibility of making use of a post-form ing stress relief heat treatment to prevent delayed cracking. A very h igh corrosion rate was recorded for the copper-free alloy following de formation and ageing which militates against post-forming remedial act ion.