Effect of Cobalt Addition on the Evolution of Austenite and ε-Martensitic Transformation during Loading of 201 Stainless Steel.

In this study, austenite formation in 201 austenitic stainless steel was observed in two steps during solidification. Initially, austenite (γ1) precipitated and grew on δ-ferrite during the peritectic reaction (δ + liquid → γ1) and formed directly from the residual liquid (γ2). With the addition of Co, from 0.09 to 0.51 wt.%, the dendrite morphology of ferrite changed from columnar dendritic to equiaxed dendritic. Primary ferrite phase morphology changes resulted in an austenite microstructure composed of a uniform dispersion of fine grains. Both ε-martensite (hcp) and α′-martensite (bct) were present in the microstructure due to the deformation of austenite particles by the impact force. The impact toughness increased by 33% as the cobalt content increased to 0.51 wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]