Effect of Cold Work on Elevated-Temperature Properties of Types 301, 305, and 310 Stainless Steels

The elevated-temperature strength of AISI Types 301, 305, and 310 stainless steels can be improved by cold-working, provided extensive recrystallization during exposure does not take place. The rupture strength of cold-rolled materials decreases progressively with increasing recrystallization and eventually becomes poorer than that of annealed material when the amount of recrystallization exceeds 50 to 60 per cent. It is suggested that microstructural changes which occur as a result of recrystallization account for the detrimental effect that recrystallization exerts on high-temperature strength. These include a change in grain size and redistribution of chromium carbides in Types 301, 305, and 310, and the accelerated formation of sigma in Type 310.