Characterization of magnetic properties in a 316 stainless steel after deformation and irradiation

Specimens of austenitic stainless steel were compressively deformed or irradiated with Xe ions at room temperature. The characterization of the magnetic properties and microstructural variations were done by vibrating sample magnetometer, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and TEM. The results indicated that higher deformation or irradiation damage causes more significant magnetization phenomenon. The amount of ferromagnetic phase can be deduced from Ms and increases with deformation and irradiation. The stress relief after deformation or irradiation may be responsible for the ferromagnetic phase formation. Hc increases first and then decreases continuously with a turning point at deformed to 40% or irradiated to 2dpa. The different contributions of dislocation density and ferromagnetic precipitates on Hc can explain this variation.