Effect of Fabrication Methods on the Microstructure and Properties of AISI 308L Austenitic Stainless Steel Bars

Microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 308L stainless steel bars and sensitized samples prepared by hot rolling (cold rolling) were analyzed by metallographic microscope and universal material testing machine,and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curves of those samples in 3.5% (mass fraction) NaCl solution were also tested. The effects of cold rolling and hot rolling on the microstructure and properties of AISI 308L stainless steel bars were studied. The results show that the grain size of AISI 308L stainless steel bars produced by different processes had obvious differences, and work hardening was the main strengthening method. The microstructure of hot rolling AISI 308L stainless steel bar was relatively coarse, and the carbides precipitated at the grain boundary in the processed and sensitized samples were less. The self-corrosion potential of the hot rolling AISI 308L stainless steel bar and its sensitized sample was higher than that of the cold-rolled bar, showing superior corrosion resistance.