Surface phase transformation in austenitic stainless steel induced by cyclic oxidation in humidified air

The formation of α' martensite at the surface of an AISI 304 stainless steel subjected to cyclic heating in humidified air is reported. The α' martensite formed during the cooling part of the cyclic tests due to local depletion of Cr and Mn and transformed back to austenite when the temperature again rose to 650 °C. The size of the α' martensite region increased with increasing number of cycles. Thermodynamical simulations were used as basis for discussing the formation of α' martensite. The effect of the α' martensite on corrosion is also discussed.