Phase transformation in duplex stainless steels after isothermal treatments, continuous cooling and cold working

This paper concerns the phase transformation induced by heat treatment and cold rolling in four duplex stainless steel. In 2205 and 2507, during the isothermal heat treatments, chi-phase precipitates as small particles at the ferrite/austenite boundaries, followed by sigma precipitation. At the lowest temperature the formation kinetic of chi-phase is favoured, with the increasing of time and temperature a progressive transformation of chi to sigma occurs and the kinetic of sigma is favoured. During continuous cooling, the chi -phase appears at low cooling rates. In low Ni grades the grain boundaries precipitation of chromium nitrides were detected, but no sigma and chi. In 2101 the austenite transforms to martensite both after cold rolling and quenching