Study on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Ti-containing submicron-grain stainless steel
摘要
This study investigated the effects of Ti microalloying on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of 304 austenitic stainless steel prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Ti-modified 304 stainless steel samples with Ti contents of 0, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 wt% were prepared. The results show that Ti addition significantly refined the grains through heterogeneous nucleation and grain boundary pinning. The smallest average grain size of 0.61 μm was obtained at a Ti content of 0.3 wt%, accompanied by a notable increase in the proportions of low-angle grain boundaries and twin boundaries. The 304 stainless steel containing 0.3 wt% Ti exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a hardness of 31.6 HRC, yield strength of 694 MPa, and tensile strength of 909 MPa. The enhancement in mechanical properties is mainly attributed to grain refinement, TiC precipitation strengthening, and twin boundary strengthening effects. Furthermore, the introduction of Ti can promote the diffusion of Cr elements, thereby improving the integrity and stability of the passive film and significantly enhancing the electrochemical corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel. This study provides an effective strategy for developing stainless steels that combine high mechanical performance with excellent corrosion resistance.