An analysis of microstructure and mechanical properties of ferritic stainless steel 430 during cold rolling and subsequent annealing

Systematic study on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of ferritic stainless steel (FSS) 430 with different annealing processes was carried out in the present work. The results show that microstructural refinement can be achieved by optimization of annealing processes, improving elongation, yield strength, and tensile strength of FSS 430. An optimal annealing temperature of 950 ℃ is found with better homogeneity and enhanced mechanical properties among the cold-rolled and annealed FSSs. During annealing processes, the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries of FSS 430 annealed at 950 ℃ is found to be the highest, indicating that a homogeneous microstructure with high recrystallization rate is formed inside the FSS 430 strips. In addition, high fraction of the hard grains (SF < 0.4) and low fraction of the soft grains are found inside FSS 430 annealed at 950 ℃, improving the plasticity of material. Overall, the optimization of annealing processes benefits the microstructural refinement of FSS and thereby improving the mechanical properties of materials.