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Mechanical engineering

Effect of Holding Time Variations on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of 304 Stainless Steel Thin Foil

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa have published a study on the effect of holding time variations in austenitization and spheroidizing annealing processes on the mechanical properties and microstructure of 304 thin foil stainless steel materials. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between heat treatment parameters and mechanical properties of the material. The research team conducted a series of experiments, including hardness testing, tensile testing, and microstructure observation using an optical microscope. The results showed that increasing the holding time during austenitization increases the homogeneity of austenite but can cause excessive grain growth. In contrast, the spheroidizing annealing process produces a more uniform distribution of spherical carbides and increases the ductility of the material.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team conducted experiments on 304 thin foil stainless steel materials using three different holding times: 20, 40, and 60 minutes during austenitization.
  • The results showed that increasing the holding time during austenitization increases the homogeneity of austenite, but can cause excessive grain growth.
  • The spheroidizing annealing process produces a more uniform distribution of spherical carbides and increases the ductility of the material.
  • The phase formed as a result of the heat treatment process is the austenite phase as the main phase, with a small amount of martensite.
  • The study contributes to understanding the relationship between heat treatment parameters and mechanical properties of the material.
  • The research team tested the mechanical properties of the material using hardness testing and tensile testing.

Statistics:

  • The research team used a holding time of 20, 40, and 60 minutes during austenitization.
  • The temperature used for austenitization was 900°C, and the temperature used for spheroidizing annealing was 810°C.
  • The average hardness of the material after austenitization was 45.6 HV, while the average tensile strength was 550 MPa.
  • The average ductility of the material after spheroidizing annealing was 25%.

Sources:

  • The Effect of Holding Time Variations in The Austenitization And Spheroidizing Annealing Processes on The Mechanical Properties And Microstructure of 304 Stainless Steel Thin Foil (Rekayasa Mesin, 2025, 16(2):895-900)
  • University of Brawijaya (publisher of Rekayasa Mesin)
  • Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (research institution)

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