Cryogenic strength and microstructure of a hydrostatically extruded austenitic steel 1.4429 (AISI 316LN)

The as-received material with the average equivalent grain diameter of 45 μm was subjected to a hydrostatic extrusion process to a total true strain of 0.25, 0.84 and 1.36. Static tensile tests of the extruded material, performed at the room temperature, in liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. The material extruded to the strain of 1.36 and tested in liquid helium revealed ultimate strength 2.6 GPa. The results obtained for strengthened material were compared with the properties of as-received state. The effect of extrusion on the structure of this material was examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of necking and the nature of fracture surfaces in the specimens subjected to tensile tests confirm ductile behaviour of the extruded material even at liquid helium temperature, despite limited ductility. The results show that the hydrostatically extruded austenitic stainless steel is a promising material for relatively small, heavy loaded components working at cryogenic conditions.