Effects of carbon and nitrogen on precipitation and tensile behavior in 15Cr-15Mn-4Ni austenitic stainless steels

Precipitation behavior and tensile properties have been investigated for 15Cr-15Mn-4Ni austenitic steels containing 0.2 wt% carbon and/or 0.2 wt% nitrogen. During aging at 600-1000 °C, precipitates such as σ, M23C6, and Cr2N were formed and time-temperature-precipitation diagrams were constructed. The type, size, and density of precipitates depended on the carbon and nitrogen contents. The nitrogen addition suppressed carbide formation while the effect of carbon addition on nitride precipitation was comparatively small. The evolution of tensile properties after aging is explained by the changes in solid solution strengthening and deformation modes caused by the precipitation. The precipitation of M23C6 slightly decreased yield strength and elongation while it increased ultimate tensile strength. On the other hand, the precipitation of Cr2N hardly affected tensile properties due to its low volume fraction.