Strong temperature - Dependence of Ni -alloying influence on the stacking fault energy in austenitic stainless steel

Using ab initio alloy theory, we calculate the impact of Ni on the stacking fault energy in austenitic stainless steel as a function of temperature. We show that the influence of Ni strongly couples with temperature. While a positive effect on the stacking fault energy is obtained at ambient temperature, the opposite negative effect is disclosed at elevated temperatures. An important rationale behind is demonstrated to be the variation of magneto-volume coupling induced by Ni alloying. The alloy influence on the finite temperature evolution of Ni impact is evaluated for elements Cr, Mo and N.