Hot deformation behavior of a Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel

A Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel was compressed in the temperature range 900–1200 °C and strain rate range 0.01–10 s−1. The mechanical behavior has been characterized using stress–strain curve analysis, kinetic analysis, processing maps, etc. The microstructural evolution was observed and the mechanism of flow instability was discussed. It was found that the work hardening rate and flow stress decreased with increasing deformation temperature and decreasing strain rate. On the contrary, the efficiency of power dissipation increased with them; Flow instability was manifested as cracking and flow localization; The hot deformation equation and the relationships between deformation condition and dynamic recrystallization grain size and fraction were obtained; For Nb-containing 316LN stainless steel, the favorite nucleation sites for dynamic recrystallization are in sequence of triple point, grain boundary, twin boundary and intragranular deformation band; The suggested processing window is given.

► Hot deformation equation of a Nb-containing 316LN steel was obtained.
► Relationships between deformation condition and DRX grain size and fraction were obtained.
► Processing maps were obtained.
► Mechanism of flow instability was discussed.
► Suggested processing window was given.