Local Reversion of Cold Formed AISI 301LN

This study demonstrates applying laser heat treatment for reversion treatments of cold-formed AISI 301LN. Sheets were cold- rolled to final thicknesses of 1.5 and 3 mm (65pct reduction), having martensite fraction of 70-95%. Sheets were heated locally by a laser beam to various peak temperatures to obtain different degrees of martensite reversion to austenite. Mechanical properties and formability of grain-refined and coarse-grained structures were measured by tensile, bending and Erichsen cup tests. In addition to standard Erichsen cup test, additional interrupted tests were carried out, where cups were first stretched close to the critical strain. Drawn cups were then heated locally by a laser beam to revitalize the structure and thereby enhance the formability in the following cupping test until failure.Various structures were produced: completely reverted microstructures (T > 700 °C) with grain sizes 0.9 - 2 μm in addition to partially reverted structure (T < 700 °C) containing nano- and ultrafine-grained austenite (0.6 μm) with some martensite. Results showed that local laser heat treatment is suitable for the reversion treatment to refine the austenite grain size. Refinement of the austenitic structures increased strength properties and the formability was better than with coarse grained structures having the same strength. Especially the yield strength was significantly enhanced, being around 900 MPa in the strongest reverted structure compared to the 300-400 MPa of the coarse grained austenitic structure. It was demonstrated that the local laser treatment restored formability of the drawn cups, allowing stretching to be continued.