Abstract
High nitrogen stainless steels are of interest owing to the enhanced strength and corrosion resistance which is conferred by nitrogen alloying, and several methods can provide a simultaneous increase in the fracture toughness of these materials. The present work investigates one such method in the production of a composite nitrogen alloyed steel by consolidating nitrided strips. The strips are nitrided in an ammonia atmosphere, and then several strips are hot rolled together to produce a nitrided laminate. Heat treatments are then used to disperse the nitride layers. This procedure results in a laminate structure which is composed of alternating layers of high strength and high ductility, and the resultant strength profile can be controlled and altered by heat treatment. This procedure is modelled using Fourier analysis, and confirmed using microhardness profiles and optical microscopy.
MST/2029
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