SEDL / STP / STP743-EB / STP28801S

Strength/Toughness Relationship for Interstitially Strengthened AISI 304 Stainless Steels at 4 K Temperature

Tobler, RL
Metallurgists, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Read, DT
Metallurgists, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Reed, RP
Metallurgists, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.

Pages: 19    Published: Jan 1981

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Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of carbon and nitrogen on the 4 K fracture properties of an Fe-18Cr-10Ni austenitic stainless steel having a base composition corresponding to AISI 304. J-integral fracture toughness tests using 24.5-mm-thick compact specimens (TL orientation) were performed in a liquid helium environment on nine steel heats having carbon plus nitrogen (C+N) contents between 0.067 and 0.325 weight percent. The fracture toughness decreased with increasing C+N content. The K^Ic estimates obtained at 4 K ranged from 337 to 123 MPa·m^1/2, exhibiting an inverse dependence on tensile yield stress. A computer-aided J-integral test facility was implemented to conduct this study. This new facility improves measurement accuracy, conserves material specimens and testing time, and systematizes test procedures.