Effect of pre-straining on low-temperature mechanical behavior of AISI 304L

► A pre-strain dependent mechanical characteristics are investigated at low-temperatures. ► Low-temperature material nonlinearities were investigated for a temperature range of ambient and −163 °C with consideration of the pre-strain effects. ► On the basis of experimental investigation, the yield plateau, YT ratio, and strain-hardening rate were presented as functions of pre-stain.