Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of AISI 304 Stainless Steel at Low Temperatures

This study investigates the mechanical behavior of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS) under low-temperature conditions, with emphasis on its applicability to cryogenic environments. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from room temperature (298 K) down to 193 K using a universal testing machine equipped with a controlled cooling chamber. All tests were performed at a constant strain rate of 10−3 s−1 to examine the temperature dependence of the material’s mechanical response. The results revealed a pronounced influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of AISI 304 ASS. Both the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel exhibited a pronounced increase with decreasing temperature, while the uniform elongation showed a slight reduction. Specifically, as the temperature decreased from 298 K to 193 K, the yield strength increased by approximately 8%, and the UTS increased by about 50%. Overall, the mechanical behavior of AISI 304 ASS was found to be strongly temperature-dependent. The alloy retained excellent mechanical performance at low temperatures, combining enhanced strength with acceptable ductility, confirming its suitability for structural applications in cryogenic and hydrogen storage systems.