Heat treatment effect on mechanical properties of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

Mechanical properties of metallic materials usually vary under different conditions, so choosing the appropriate heat treatment is necessary to obtain acceptable comprehensive properties. The effect of quenching without tempering heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel was determined using optical microscopy, tensile tests, and hardness measurements. The obtained results show that the strength and elongation of samples were improved after this heat treatment, while the hardness decreases.