Ch11 Concept Check
Ch11 Concept Check
Ch11 Concept Check
Briefly explain why ferritic and austenitic stainless steels are not heat
treatable. Hint: you may want to consult the first portion of Section 11.3.
Answer:
Ferritic and austenitic stainless steels are not heat treatable since "heat
treatable" is taken to mean that martensite may be made to form with relative ease upon
quenching austenite from an elevated temperature.
For ferritic stainless steels, austenite does not form upon heating, and, therefore, the
austenite-to-martensite transformation is not possible.
For austenitic stainless steels, the austenite phase field extends to such low temperatures
that the martensitic transformation does not occur.
371
374
375
377
386
387
397
407
260
not possible
204
0.3-10
149
9-600
121
>300
With regard to temperatures and times to give the desired 18% EL ductility [Figure 11.27(b)]:
Temperature (C)
260
not possible
204
<0.08
149
<6
121
<300
Therefore, an alloy having this combination of yield strength and ductility is not possible. At
none of the four heat treating temperatures is there an overlap of time or time ranges required to
achieve both the desired yield strength and ductility values.