Unidirectional cold rolling of Fe-21Cr-5Mn-1.5Ni alloy - Microstructure, texture and magnetic properties

In the present work, changes in microstructure, texture and magnetic properties during unidirectional cold rolling of a Fe-21Cr-5Mn-1.5Ni alloy were investigated. For microstructural characterization, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) were used, while for bulk texture measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used. Magnetic measurements (M-H and B-H curves) were used to characterize the strain induced martensite (SIM). The band thickness (thickness of grain along normal direction (ND)) reduced significantly more in austenite, than in ferrite with increasing deformation (cold rolling). Also, during deformation, more strain was partitioned in austenite than in ferrite. The saturation magnetization increased with increase in cold rolling reduction and SIM was similar to 11% after 80% cold rolling. The as-received sample showed strong cube ({100} 100 ) and Brass ({110} 112 ) in austenite and strong alpha (RD// 110 ) and gamma (ND// 111 ) fibres in ferrite. After 80% cold rolling, strong Brass ({110} 112 ) and Goss ({110} 001 ) were developed in austenite, while the existing alpha and gamma fibres further strengthened in ferrite. The area under the B-H curve was found to be proportional to strain. Both texture and strain were found to be responsible for this increase.

Automated summary

In this study, the changes in microstructure, texture, and magnetic properties during the unidirectional cold rolling of a Fe-21Cr-5Mn-1.5Ni alloy were investigated. The results showed that the thickness of the grain along the normal direction reduced more in austenite than in ferrite, and the strain was more partitioned in austenite. The saturation magnetization increased with the increase in cold rolling reduction, and the strain induced martensite (SIM) was similar to 11% after 80% cold rolling. The development of specific textures was observed in both austenite and ferrite after cold rolling, and both texture and strain played a role in the change in magnetic properties.