Abstract
The volume changes accompanying solidification of three commercial stainless steels have been estimated. Experiments included determinations of solidification sequences and phase relations in the solidification intervals. Literature data regarding specific volumes or densities for austenite, ferrite, and liquid have been used in the calculations of total specific volumes for the steels. Volume changes have been estimatedfrom relative differences in calculated specific volumes. The results show that the total solidification contraction of an austenitically solidifying 20Cr-25Ni-4.5Mo steel is about 7.5%, whereas the contractions of two peritectically solidifying AISI 304-type steels are about 4.7-5.7%. The total contraction during the peritectic reaction is low, 1.0-1.8%, but the contraction is very rapid in a short period immediately after the start of the peritectic reaction. It is not believed, however, that the volume changes or stresses caused by the peritectic reactions in these steels can cause any severe segregation or cracking problems, unless the steels have been embrittled by some ‘hot-shortness’ phenomenon.
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