Determination of stacking fault energy of austenite in a duplex stainless steel

Abstract

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 rolling tests and microstructural analysis have been realized in order to allow a detailed discussion of the obtained SFE-values. The results of this Investigation indicate that the stacking fault energy of the austenite phase within the duplex stainless steel Is lower than those of single-phase austenitic stainless steels. This is justified by the chemical composition; mainly by the Cr and Ni alloying contents. Nevertheless, work hardening of the austenite during cold deformation is not as accentuated as expected by the low SFE-values, because at higher deformation levels the deformation mainly occurs within the ferrite phase.