EFFECT OF STACKING FAULT PRECIPITATION ON HOT DEFORMATION OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL.

Hot deformation characteristics of Nb-bearing austenitic stainless steel have been studied 823 to 1173 K at an initial strain rate of 2. 1 multiplied by 10** minus **4 s** minus **1. Although yield strength of the solution-treated specimen was low, work hardening occured at 1023 to 1123 K. A ductility trough accompanied by intergranular ductile fracture was also observed. In the aged specimen, yield strength was higher but work hardening was less significant, probably due to refinement of the average effective grain size. At temperature above 1123 K, ductility of the solution-treated speciment increased with temperature but that of the aged specimen was reduced. Ductility loss could arise from local dynamic recrystallization in the vicinity of grain boundaries.