Unraveling the origin of strain-induced precipitation of M23C6 in the plastically deformed 347 Austenite stainless steel

• The results exhibited earlier formation of M23C6 precipitates in strained specimen.
• Strain induced precipitates formed mainly along with the deformation bands.
• The formation of α′ martensite was observed along the deformation bands.
• The accelerated formation of M23C6 precipitates is attributed to α′ martensite.

In this research, the phenomenon of strain-induced precipitation of M23 (M = Cr, Fe, Mo) C6 precipitates in 347 austenite stainless steel was systematically studied. During annealing at 650 °C, the experimental results exhibited significantly earlier formation of M23C6 precipitates in the plastically strained specimen, than in the no-strain specimen. The various microstructural characterizations showed that the accelerated formation of M23C6 precipitates occurred around deformation bands that were generated by deformation twinning. Extensive investigation suggested that the strain-induced precipitation of M23C6 is attributed to the formation of strain-induced α′ martensite during plastic deformation near deformation bands.