Austenitic stainless steel
Austenitic stainless steel has austenite as the primary microstructure. Austenite is a solid solution of iron and carbon that comes into existence above the critical temperature of 723°C. This family of stainless steels displays high toughness and impressive resistance to elevated temperatures.
70 per cent of all stainless steel is austenitic. It contains at least 16% chromium and 6% nickel.
Austenitic stabilisers are elements that are added to prompt the formation of austenite microstructure. This stainless steel grade is a non-magnetic metal and unable to be hardened by heat treatment. Corrosion resistance can be modified depending on the service environment.
Austenitic stainless steel refers to stainless steel with austenitic structure at room temperature. When the steel contains about 18% Cr, 8%~10% Ni, and about 0.1% C, it has a stable austenite structure.
Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel includes the well-known 18Cr-8Ni steel and high Cr-Ni series steel developed on this basis by increasing the content of Cr and Ni and adding Mo, Cu, Si, Nb, Ti and other elements.
Austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic and has high toughness and plasticity, but its strength is low. It is impossible to strengthen it through phase transformation. It can only be strengthened through cold working. For example, adding S, Ca, Se, Te and other elements, it has good Machinability.
