Chrome Carbides in Stainless Steel

[TiffanyThorbahn]

Do chrome carbide precipitates at grain boundaries in 304 austenitic stainless steel cause forming problems? Does anyone have any information or know of any rescources on this subject?

 

[ibrahimdemir]

TiffanyThorbahn,

This has been discussed on the following thread.

thread725-76274


Ibrahim demir

 

[Metalguy]

No, that thread do not cover what she asked-the effect on formability, if any.

I am not aware of problems of formability caused by sensit.

Sounds like you're starting your forming operations with sensit. SS.

 

[NickE]

Seems like the behavior during really deep draws would not be as good. Would the hard CrC particles act as a sort of strengthening fiber in the matrix?
not sure just guessing.

nick

 

[SMF1964]

I would not expect the CrC (Cr23C6, etc.) to provide a strengthening to the material - they are too coarse.

 

[mcguire]

The sensitized zone is chromium depleted by several percent. This renders the austenite less stable. This material will thus form more like a 301 than a normal 304.
The Cr23C6 particles are micron sized and won't, per se, affect forming.

 

[lakhtin]

precipetation of carbides at grain boundaries causes intergranular corrosion and thus should be avoided.

regards

 

[martintw]

If carbide precipitation is a problem, why not go for a low carbon steel such as 304L, or even better 321 or 316Ti which are titanium stabilised to prevent "dicourage" carbide precipitation. The offshore or naval people are familiar with these grades for prevention of intergranular corrosion in sea water environments.