The microstructure and mechanical properties of austenitic steel EK-164 after thermomechanical treatments
The results of the influence of thermomechanical treatments, including low-temperature and subsequent warm deformation, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of reactor austenitic steel EK-164 are presented. It was shown that low-temperature (after cooling in liquid nitrogen) plastic deformation leads to the formation of a high density of microtwins. In the process of subsequent warm (at T = 600 or 700 ° C) deformation the localized deformation bands, having an internal fragmented nano-sized structure, propagate in the microtwins. These features of the microstructure provide a multiple (3-5 times) increase in yield strength at 20 ° C and 650 ° C.