Cold Hardening Characteristics of 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 Austenitic Stainless Steel
The austenitic stainless steel 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 is one of the most important stainless steel grades today. It is commonly used for its corrosion resistance, heat resistance and welding properties. However, this grade of stainless steel is also renowned for its cold hardening characteristics. In this article, the cold hardening characteristics of 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 stainless steel will be explored.
Cold hardening is a process which involves the strengthening of a metal by cooling it beneath its ambient temperature. This can be achieved by cold working or aging the metal at room temperature. Cold working involves applying plastic deformation at low temperatures to increase the yield strength of the metal. Aging, on the other hand, involves the precipitation of special intermetallic compounds that can increase both the strength and ductility of the material. Cold hardening serves to increase the strength and hardness of the metal, while making it less susceptible to corrosion.
Compared to other austenitic stainless steels, 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 has a surprisingly low cold hardening rate. This is most likely due to its high nickel content (18%), which lowers the solid solubility of carbon, chromium and other metals in the steel. The low amount of alloying elements, such as molybdenum and copper, also contributes to the low cold hardening rate.
It has been found that 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 can be improved upon by cold hardening through cold working. One common method is to subject the steel to strain hardening. This is achieved by cold rolling the steel, which imparts work hardening on it. This increases the yield strength and tensile strength of the steel by straining the metal to a certain level and then deforming it. This cold hardening process can also be used to reduce the elongation and harden the surface of the steel.
Cold hardening of this austenitic stainless steel can also be done through aging. Aging involves heating the steel at temperatures below the recrystallization point and then cooling it to slightly higher than room temperature. During the aging process, molybdenum-rich compounds are precipitated onto the steel. These compounds form a protective layer that increases the strength and wear resistance of the steel.
It has been found that cold hardening of 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 can significantly increase its wear resistance, corrosion resistance and ductility. The combination of increased corrosion and wear resistance and ductility makes this austenitic stainless steel an attractive option for applications subject to wear.
In conclusion, 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 austenitic stainless steel has excellent cold hardening characteristics. Cold working and aging are two methods which can be used to increase the strength and hardness of the steel. Both processes can improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the steel, while also increasing its ductility. Its combination of increased strength and wear resistance, coupled with its superior workability, makes 00Cr18Ni14Mo2Cu2 an ideal material for components subject to wear and corrosion.
