TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an austenitic stainless steel and a
method of manufacturing such a stainless steel, and more particularly to an
austenitic stainless steel having a high strength and a good hydrogen
embrittlement resistance and hydrogen fatigue resistance required of a
member such as a valve or joint exposed to high-pressure hydrogen gas, and
a method of manufacturing such a stainless steel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Research is under progress for developing fuel-cell vehicles that use
hydrogen as a fuel to travel, and deploying hydrogen stations that supply
hydrogen to such fuel-cell vehicles. Stainless steel is one of the candidate
materials that can be used for such applications. However, in a
high-pressure hydrogen gas environment, even stainless steel may be
embrittled by hydrogen gas (hydrogen-environment embrittlement). The
standards for pressurized-hydrogen containers for automobiles specified by
the High-Pressure Gas Safety Law permit the use of SUS316L as a stainless
steel that does not suffer from hydrogen-environment embrittlement.
[0003] However, in order to achieve light-weight fuel-cell vehicles and
compact hydrogen stations and address the necessity of high-pressure
operation of hydrogen stations, it is desired that a stainless steel for use in a
container or joint or piping do not suffer from hydrogen-environment
embrittlement in a hydrogen-gas environment and have a high strength not
lower than SUS316L, as is conventional. In recent years, high-strength
steels have been proposed that have a high N content and use the resulting
solute strengthening and fine-particle nitrides, as disclosed in WO
2004/111285, WO 2004/083477, WO 2004/083476, and Japanese Patent No.
5131794.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Materials with still higher strengths than the high-strength steels
described in the above patent documents are desired. Cold working is
known as a means of increasing the strength of austenitic stainless steel.
2
However, cold-worked austenitic stainless steel has significantly decreased
hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Especially, in austenitic stainless
steels with high N contents, which have low stacking fault energy, strains
during deformation may be localized, resulting in a still more significant
decrease in hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Accordingly, it is believed
that cold working for increasing strength cannot be applied to a material
that is intended for use in a high-pressure hydrogen environment.
[0005] Further, a member that is exposed to high-pressure hydrogen gas
such as a pipe or valve in a hydrogen station is used in an environment in
which hydrogen gas pressure varies. Accordingly, a certain resistance to
fatigue that may be caused by varying hydrogen gas pressure (hereinafter
referred to as "hydrogen fatigue resistance") is desirable, but the above-listed
patent documents do not consider hydrogen fatigue resistance. That is,
there is no material that has good strength, good hydrogen embrittlement
resistance and good hydrogen fatigue resistance.
[0006] The present invention was made in view of the current circumstances
described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a
high-strength austenitic stainless steel having good hydrogen embrittlement
resistance and hydrogen fatigue resistance.
[0007] An austenitic stainless steel according to the present invention has a
chemical composition consisting of, in mass%, c: up to 0.10 %; Si: up to
1.0 %; Mn: not less than 3.0% and less than 7.0 %; Cr: 15 to 30 %; Ni: not less
than 12.0% and less than 17.0 %; Al: up to 0.10 %; N: 0.10 to 0.50 %; p: up to
0.050 %; S: up to 0.050 %; at least one ofV: 0.01 to 1.0% and Nb: 0.01 to
0.50 %; Mo: 0 to 3.0 %; W: 0 to 6.0 %; Ti: 0 to 0.5 %; Zr: 0 to 0.5 %; Hf: 0 to
0.3 %; Ta: 0 to 0.6 %; B: 0 to 0.020 %; Cu: 0 to 5.0 %; Co: 0 to 10.0 %; Mg: 0 to
0.0050 %; Ca: 0 to 0.0050 %; La: 0 to 0.20 %; Ce: 0 to 0.20 %; Y: 0 to 0.40 %;
Sm: 0 to 0.40 %; Pr: 0 to 0.40 %; Nd: 0 to 0.50 %; and the balance being Fe
and impurities, the steel having an austenite crystal grain with a ratio of a
minor axis to a major axis that is greater than 0.1, the austenite crystal
grain having a crystal grain size number that is not lower than 8.0, the steel
having a tensile strength that is not less than 1000 MPa.
[0008] A method of manufacturing an austenitic stainless steel according to
the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a steel material having
a chemical composition consisting of, in mass %, c: up to 0.10 %; Si: up to
1.0 %; Mn: not less than 3.0% and less than 7.0 %; Cr: 15 to 30 %; Ni: not less
3
than 12.0% and less than 17.0 %; Al: up to 0.10 %; N: 0.10 to 0.50 %; p: up to
0.050 %; S: up to 0.050 %; at least one ofV: 0.01 to 1.0% and Nb: 0.01 to
0.50 %; Mo: 0 to 3.0 %; W: 0 to 6.0 %; Ti: 0 to 0.5 %; Zr: 0 to 0.5 %; Hf: 0 to
0.3 %; Ta: 0 to 0.6 %; B: 0 to 0.020 %; Cu: 0 to 5.0 %; Co: 0 to 10.0 %; Mg: 0 to
0.0050 %; Ca: 0 to 0.0050 %; La: 0 to 0.20 %; Ce: 0 to 0.20 %; Y: 0 to 0.40 %;
Sm: 0 to 0.40 %; Pr: 0 to 0.40 %; Nd: 0 to 0.50 %; and the balance being Fe
and impurities; performing a solution treatment on the steel material at a
solution treatment temperature of 1000 to 1200 oc; cold working the steel
material that has undergone the solution treatment with a reduction in area
that is not lower than 20 %; performing a heat treatment on the steel
material that has been cold-worked at a temperature that is not lower than
900 oc and lower than the solution treatment temperature; and cold working
the steel material that has undergone the heat treatment with a reduction in
area that is not lower than 10% and lower than 65 %.
[0009] The present invention provides a high-strength austenitic stainless
steel with good hydrogen embrittlement resistance and hydrogen fatigue
resistance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing an
austenitic stainless steel according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a scatter diagram showing the relationship between
reduction in area in the secondary cold working and relative breaking
elongation.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a scatter diagram showing the relationship between
Ni content and relative breaking elongation.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a scatter diagram showing the relationship between
Ni content and fatigue life in hydrogen.
EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0011] The present inventors attempted to find a way of increasing the
strength of austenitic stainless steel while maintaining hydrogen
embrittlement resistance and hydrogen fatigue resistance. They obtained
the following findings, (a) and (b).
[0012] (a) Those ones of the austenitic stainless steels described in Patent
4
No. 5131794 that have an Ni content of 12.0% or higher are suitable as steel
base material.
[0013] (b) These austenitic stainless steels should further be cold-worked
with a reduction in area that is not lower than 10% and lower than 65 %.
This will provide an austenitic stainless steel having a high strength of 1000
MPa or higher and having good hydrogen embrittlement resistance and
hydrogen fatigue resistance without excess anisotropy in cold-worked crystal
grmns.
[0014] Traditionally, it has been believed that cold working an austenitic
stainless steel may cause strain-induced transformation or deformation of
crystal grains, which will prevent hydrogen embrittlement resistance and
hydrogen fatigue resistance from being maintained. However, the
investigation of the present inventors demonstrated that, in a steel with fine
carbonitride precipitations, the pinning effect prevents crystal grains from
being deformed. It was also demonstrated that, if, in addition, Ni content is
12.0 % or higher, then, good hydrogen embrittlement resistance and
hydrogen fatigue resistance can be maintained even if the steel is
cold-worked with a reduction in area that is not lower than 10% and lower
than 65%.
[0015] The austenitic stainless steel of the present invention was made
based on the above-discussed findings. The austenitic stainless steel
according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in
detail.
[0016] [Chemical Composition of Steel]
The austenitic stainless steel according to the present embodiment
has the chemical composition described below. In the description below,"%"
for the content of an element means mass%.
[0017] c: up to 0.10%
Carbon (C) is not an element that is intentionally added according to
the present embodiment. If C content exceeds 0.10 %, carbides precipitate
on grain boundaries, which may adversely affect toughness and other
properties. In view ofthis, C content should be not higher than 0.10 %. C
content is preferably not higher than 0.04 %, and more preferably not higher
than 0.02 %. The lower C content, the better; however, reducing C content
excessively involves increased refining costs, and thus, for practical reasons,
it is preferable that C content is not lower than 0.001 %.
5
[0018] Si: up to 1.0%
Silicon (Si) deoxidizes steel. However, if a large amount of Si is
contained, it may, together with Ni, Cr and/or other elements, form
intermetallic compounds, or facilitate formation of intermetallic compounds
such as a-phase, which may significantly decrease hot workability. In view
of this, Si content should be not higher than 1.0 %. Si content is preferably
not higher than 0.5 %. The lower Si content, the better; still, from the view
point of refining costs, it is preferable that Si content is not lower than
0.01 %.
[0019] Mn: not less than 3.0% and less than 7.0%
Manganese (Mn) is an inexpensive austenite-stabilizing element.
According to the present embodiment, Mn is combined appropriately with Cr,
Ni, N and/or other elements to contribute to increase in strength and
improvement of ductility and toughness. Further, according to the present
embodiment, fine-particle precipitation of carbonitrides produces fine crystal
grains; however, if the amount of dissolved N is small, carbonitrides with
sufficient number density cannot be precipitated even after the process made
up of a solution treatment, cold working and secondary heat treatment,
described further below. Mn has the effect of increasing solubility of N; in
view of this, Mn content should be not lower than 3.0 %. On the other hand,
ifMn content is not lower than 7.0 %, the technique described in WO
2004/0834 77 can be applied; in view of this, according to the present
embodiment, Mn content should be lower than 7.0 %. Thus, Mn content is
not lower than 3.0% and lower than 7.0 %. The lower limit for Mn content
is preferably 4 %. The upper limit for Mn content is preferably 6.5 %, and
more preferably 6.2 %.
[0020] Cr: 15 to 30 %
Chromium (Cr) is an element that provides sufficient corrosion
resistance for producing a stainless steel, and thus is an essential component.
On the other hand, excess Cr content facilitates production of large amounts
of coarse particles of carbides such as Mz3C6, which may decrease ductility
and toughness. In view of this, Cr content should be in the range of 15 to
30 %. The lower limit for Cr content is preferably 18 %, and more
preferably 20 %. The upper limit for Cr content is preferably 24 %, and
more preferably 23.5 %.
[0021] Ni: not less than 12.0% and less than 17.0%
6
Nickel (Ni) is added as an austenite-stabilizing element. According
to the present embodiment, Ni is combined appropriately with Cr, Mn, N
and/or other elements to contribute to increase in strength and improvement
of ductility and toughness. IfNi content is lower than 12.0 %, cold working
may cause the stability of the austenite to decrease. On the other hand, if
Ni content is not lower than 17.0 %, the steel is saturated with respect toNi's
effects described above, which means increases in material costs. In view of
this, Ni content should be not lower than 12.0% and lower than 17.0 %.
The lower limit for Ni content is preferably 13 %, and more preferably 13.5 %.
The upper limit for Ni content is preferably 15 %, and more preferably
14.5 %.
[0022] Al: up to 0.10 %
Aluminum (Al) deoxidizes steel. On the other hand, excess Al
content facilitates production of intermetallic compounds such as a-phase.
In view of this, Al content should be not higher than 0.10 %. To ensure that
the steel is deoxidized, Al content is preferably not lower than 0.001 %. The
upper limit for Al content is preferably 0.05 %, and more preferably 0.03 %.
Alas used herein means so-called "sol. Al (acid-soluble Al)".
[0023] N: 0.10 to 0.50%
Nitrogen (N) is the most important solute-strengthening element and,
at the same time, according to the present embodiment, produces fine crystal
grains by forming fine particles of alloying carbonitrides, thereby
contributing to increase in strength. On the other hand, excess N content
may result in coarse nitride particles, decreasing toughness and other
mechanical properties. In view of this, N content should be in the range of
0.10 to 0.50 %. The lower limit for N content is preferably 0.20 %, and more
preferably 0.30 %.
[0024] v: 0.01 to 1.0% and/or Nb: 0.01 to 0.50%
Vanadium (V) and niobium (Nb) promote production of alloying
carbonitrides and contribute to making crystal grains finer; in view of this,
one or both of them are contained. On the other hand, if excessive amounts
of these elements are contained, the steel will saturated with respect to their
effects, which means increases in material costs. In view ofthis, V content
should be in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 %, and Nb content in the range of 0.01 to
0.50 %. The lower limit for V content is preferably 0.10 %. The upper limit
for V content is preferably 0.30 %. The lower limit for Nb content is
7
preferably 0.15 %. The upper limit for Nb content is preferably 0.28 %. It
is more effective if both V and Nb are contained.
[0025] p: up to 0.050 %
Phosphorus (P) is an impurity and may adversely affect the
toughness and other properties of steel. P content should be not higher
than 0.050 %, where the lower P content, the better. P content is preferably
not higher than 0.025 %, and more preferably not higher than 0.018 %.
[0026] S: up to 0.050%
Sulfur (S) is an impurity, and may adversely affect the toughness and
other properties of steel. S content should be not higher than 0.050 %,
where the lower S content, the better. S content is preferably not higher
than 0.010 %, and more preferably not higher than 0.005 %.
[0027] The balance of the chemical composition of the austenitic stainless
steel according to the present embodiment is Fe and impurities. Impurity
as used herein means an element originating from ore or scraps used as a
raw material of a steel being manufactured on an industrial basis or an
element that has entered from the environment or the like during the
manufacturing process.
[0028] The austenitic stainless steel according to the present embodiment
may have a chemical composition including, instead of some of Fe described
above, one or more elements selected form one of the first to fourth groups
provided below. All of the elements belonging to the first to fourth groups
provided below are optional elements. That is, the elements belonging to
the first to fourth groups provided below need not be contained in the
austenitic stainless steel according to the present embodiment. Only one or
some of these elements may be contained.
[0029] More specifically, for example, only one of the first to fourth groups
may be selected and one or more elements may be selected from this group.
In this case, not all of the elements belonging to the selected group need be
selected. Alternatively, a plurality of groups may be selected from the first
to fourth groups and one or more elements may be selected from each of
these groups. Again, not all of the elements belonging to the selected
groups need be selected.
[0030] [First Group]
Mo: 0 to 3.0%
w: 0 to 6.0%
8
The elements belonging to the first group are molybdenum (Mo) and
Tungsten (W). These elements have the common effects of promoting
production and stabilization of carbonitrides and contributing to solute
strengthening. On the other hand, if excess amounts thereof are contained,
the steel is saturated with respect to their effects. In view of this, the upper
limit for Mo should be 3.0 % and that for W should be 6.0 %. The preferred
lower limit for these elements is 0.3 %.
[0031] [Second Group]
Ti: 0 to 0.5%
Zr: 0 to 0.5%
Hf: 0 to 0.3%
Ta: 0 to 0.6%
The elements belonging to the second group are titanium (Ti),
zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), and tantalum (Ta). These elements have the
common effects of promoting production of carbonitrides and producing fine
crystal grains. On the other hand, if excess amounts thereof are contained,
the steel is saturated with respect to their effects. In view of this, the upper
limit forTi and Zr is 0.5 %, that for Hfis 0.3 %, and that for Ta is 0.6 %. The
upper limit forTi and Zr is preferably 0.1 %, and more preferably 0.03 %.
The upper limit for Hf is preferably 0.08 %, and more preferably 0.02 %.
The upper limit for Ta is preferably 0.4 %, and more preferably 0.3 %. The
preferred lower limit for these elements is 0.001 %.
[0032] [Third Group]
B: 0 to 0.020%
Cu: 0 to 5.0%
Co: 0 to 10.0 %
The elements belonging to the third group are boron (B), copper (Cu)
and cobalt (Co). These elements have the common effect of contributing to
increase in the strength of steel. B increases the strength of steel by
producing fine precipitates and thus fine crystal grains. On the other hand,
if excess B is contained, it may cause compounds with low melting points to
be formed, decreasing hot workability. In view of this, the upper limit for B
content is 0.020 %. Cu and Co are austenite-stabilizing elements, and
increase the strength of steel by solute strengthening. On the other hand, if
excess amounts thereof are contained, the steel is saturated with respect to
their effects. In view of this, the upper limit for Cu is 5.0 % and that for Co
9
is 10.0 %. The preferred lower limit forB is 0.0001% and the preferred
lower limit for Cu and Co is 0.3 %.
[0033] [Fourth Group]
Mg: 0 to 0.0050 %
Ca: 0 to 0.0050%
La: 0 to 0.20 %
Ce: 0 to 0.20 %
Y: 0 to 0.40%
Sm: 0 to 0.40 %
Pr: 0 to 0.40 %
Nd: 0 to 0.50%
The elements belonging to the fourth group are magnesium (Mg),
calcium (Ca), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), yttrium (Y), samarium (Sm),
praseodymium (Pr), and neodymium (Nd). These elements have the
common effect of preventing solidification cracking during casting of the
steel. On the other hand, excess contents thereof decrease hot workability.
In view of this, the upper limit for Mg and Ca is 0.0050 %, that for La and Ce
is 0.20 %, that for Y, Sm and Pr is 0.40 %, and that for Nd is 0.50 %. The
preferred lower limit for these elements is 0.0001 %.
[0034] [Internal Microstructure of Steel]
Although nitrogen is effective in solute strengthening, it lowers
stacking fault energy to localize strains during deformation, which may
decrease the durability against embrittlement in a hydrogen environment.
Further, as discussed further below, while the present embodiment attempts
to strengthen steel by cold working, cold working may increase dislocation
density and increase the amount of trapped hydrogen, which may decrease
the durability against embrittlement in a hydrogen environment.
[0035] According to the present embodiment, the microstructure present
after cold working performed after the secondary heat treatment described
further below (hereinafter referred to as secondary cold working) is adjusted
to increase the strength up to 1500 MPa and, at the same time, prevent
embrittlement in a hydrogen environment. More specifically, the ratio of
the minor axis (B) to the major axis (A) of austenite crystal grains, B/A, is
made greater than 0.1 to provide good hydrogen embrittlement resistance in
a cold-worked microstructure.
[0036] In order to make the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of
10
austenite crystal grains after the secondary cold working greater than 0.1,
the microstructure before the secondary cold working must be controlled; to
do this, pinning using alloying carbonitrides is effective. To obtain this
effect, it is preferable to cause 0.4/pm2 or more particles (on an observed
cross section) of alloying carbonitrides with a dimension of 50 to 1000 nm to
be precipitated. These alloying carbonitrides contain Cr, V, Nb, Mo, W, Ta,
etc. as main components and have a crystal microstructure of a Z phase, i.e.
Cr (Nb, V) (C, N) and MX type (M: Cr, V, Nb, Mo, W, Ta, etc., X: C, N). The
alloying carbonitrides according to the present embodiment contain almost
no Fe, where the amount of Fe, if contained at all, is at most 1 atom%. The
carbonitrides according to the present embodiment may have an extremely
low C (carbon) content, i.e. may be nitrides.
[0037] In addition, austenite crystal grains of the austenitic stainless steel
according to the present embodiment have a crystal grain size number in
accordance with ASTM E 112 that is not lower than 8.0. Making the crystal
grains finer increases the resistance of a high-nitrogen steel to
embrittlement in a hydrogen environment.
[0038] Even if a steel contains the above microstructure, it may have low
resistance to embrittlement in a hydrogen environment if it has a low Ni
content. Further, even if the microstructure before cold working is
austenite, which has good hydrogen embrittlement resistance, cold working
may cause a martensite phase to form, which may deteriorate hydrogen
embrittlement resistance. Ni is contained according to the present
embodiment to improve the stability of austenite: the Ni content is 12.0 % or
higher according to the present embodiment to provide sufficient stability of
austenite against cold working with a large working ratio.
[0039] The tensile strength of an austenitic stainless steel according to the
present embodiment is not smaller than 1000 MPa, and preferably not
smaller than 1200 MPa. On the other hand, a tensile strength of 1500 MPa
or greater may increase the anisotropy of crystal grains, making it difficult to
provide sufficient hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Thus, to define an
upper limit, tensile strength is preferably smaller than 1500 MPa.
[0040] [Manufacturing Method]
A method of manufacturing the austenitic stainless steel according to
an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
[0041] With conventional methods, it is impossible to make the crystal
11
grains finer and cause suitable fine alloying carbonitrides with a desired
number density to precipitate before the secondary cold working; however, it
becomes possible by, for example, successively performing the solution
treatment, cold working, secondary heat treatment described below.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a flow chart ofthe method of manufacturing the austenitic
stainless steel according to the present embodiment. The method of
manufacturing the austenitic stainless steel according to the present
embodiment includes the step of. preparing a steel material (step 81);
performing solution treatment on the steel material (step 82); cold working
the steel material that has undergone the solution treatment (step 3);
performing a secondary heat treatment on the steel material that has been
cold-worked (step 84); and performing a secondary cold working on the steel
material that has undergone the secondary heat treatment (step 85).
[0043] A steel having the above-described chemical composition (hereinafter
referred to as steel material) is prepared (step 81). More specifically, for
example, the steel with the above-described chemical composition is smelt
and refined. It is also possible that the steel material may be a refined steel
that has been subjected to hot working such as hot forging, hot rolling or hot
extrusion.
[0044] The steel material is subjected to solution treatment (step 82).
More specifically, the steel material is held at a temperature of 1000 to
1200 oc (hereinafter referred to as solution treatment temperature) for a
predetermined period of time, and then cooled. To cause the alloying
elements to dissolve sufficiently, the solution treatment temperature is not
lower than 1000 °C, and more preferably not lower than 1100 °. On the
other hand, if the solution treatment temperature is higher than 1200 °C,
crystal grains become extremely coarse.
[0045] In the solution treatment according to the present embodiment, it is
sufficient if solution occurs to a degree necessary to cause carbonitrides to
precipitate in the later secondary heat treatment (step 84), and not all the
carbonitride-forming elements need be dissolved. It is preferable that the
steel material that has undergone the solution treatment is rapidly cooled
from the solution treatment temperature, preferably water-cooled (showered
or dipped).
[0046] Further, the step of solution treatment (step 82) need not be an
independent step: similar effects can be obtained by rapid cooling after the
12
/,
step of hot working such as hot extrusion. For example, rapid cooling may
occur after hot extrusion at about 1150 °C.
[004 7] The steel material that has been subjected to solution treatment is
cold worked (step 83). The cold working may be, for example, cold rolling,
cold forging, or cold drawing. The reduction in area for the cold working is
20 % or higher. This increases precipitation nuclei for carbonitrides in the
steel. There is no specific upper limit for the reduction in area for the cold
working; however, considering reductions in area applied to normal parts, a
reduction of 90 % or lower is preferred. As used herein, reduction in area
(%) is (cross section of steel material before cold working- cross section of
steel material after cold working) x 100 I (cross section of steel material
before cold working).
[0048] The steel material that has been cold-worked is subjected to the
secondary heat treatment (step 84). More specifically, the steel material
that has been cold-worked is held at a temperature that is not lower than
900 oc and lower than the solution treatment temperature of step 82
(hereinafter referred to as secondary heat treatment temperature) for a
predetermined period of time, and then cooled. The secondary heat
treatment removes strains due to the cold working and causes fine particles
of carbonitrides to precipitate, resulting in fine crystal grains.
[0049] As described above, the secondary heat treatment temperature is
lower than the solution treatment temperature. To achieve still finer
crystal grains, the secondary heat treatment temperature is preferably not
higher than [solution treatment temperature- 20 °C], and more preferably
not higher than [solution treatment temperature- 50 oc]. The secondary
heat treatment temperature is preferably not higher than 1150 °C, and more
preferably not higher than 1080 °C. On the other hand, if the secondary
heat treatment temperature is lower than 900 °C, coarse Cr carbide particles
are produced, resulting in a non-uniform microstructure.
[0050] The steel material that has undergone the secondary heat treatment
is subjected to the secondary cold working (step 85). The secondary cold
working may be, for example, cold rolling, cold forging or cold drawing. The
reduction in area for the secondary cold working is not lower than 10% and
lower than 65 %. If the reduction in area for the secondary cold working is
not lower than 65 %, the material anisotropy and the stability of austenite
decrease, which decreases the hydrogen embrittlement resistance and the
13
fatigue life in hydrogen. According to the present embodiment, increasing
the content of Ni, which is an element that increases the stability of
austenite, and the pinning effect of carbonitrides provide a desired hydrogen
embrittlement resistance and hydrogen fatigue resistance even though the
reduction in area is relative high. This will increase strength and, at the
same time, prevent embrittlement in a hydrogen environment. To define a
lower limit, the reduction in area for the secondary cold working is
preferably higher than 30 %, and more preferably not lower than 40 %.
EXAMPLES
[0051] The present invention will now be described in more detail by means
of examples. The present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0052] 50 kg stainless steels having the chemical compositions shown in
Table 1 were vacuum-melt and hot-forged into blocks with a thickness of 40
to 60 mm.

claims
We claim:
1. An austenitic stainless steel having a chemical composition
consisting of, in mass %,
C: up to 0.10 %;
Si: up to 1.0 %;
Mn: not less than 3.0% and less than 7.0 %;
Cr: 15 to 30 %;
Ni: not less than 12.0% and less than 17.0 %;
Al: up to 0.10 %;
N: 0.10 to 0.50 %;
p: up to 0.050 %;
s: up to 0.050 %;
at least one ofV: 0.01 to 1.0% and Nb: 0.01 to 0.50 %;
2. The austenitic stainless steel according to claim 1, wherein the
chemical composition contains one or more elements selected from one or
more of first to fourth groups,
the first group consisting of Mo: 0.3 to 3.0 % and w: 0.3 to 6.0 %;
the second group consisting of Ti: 0.001 to 0.5 %, Zr: 0.001 to 0.5 %,
Hf: 0.001 to 0.3% and Ta: 0.001 to 0.6 %;
the third group consisting ofB: 0.0001 to 0.020 %, Cu: 0.3 to 5.0%
and Co: 0.3 to 10.0 %;
the fourth group consisting ofMg: 0.0001 to 0.0050 %, Ca: 0.0001 to
0.0050 %, La: 0.0001 to 0.20 %, Ce: 0.0001 to 0.20 %, Y: 0.0001 to 0.40 %, Sm:
0.0001 to 0.40 %, Pr: 0.0001 to 0.40% and Nd: 0.0001 to 0.50 %.
3. A method of manufact,uring an austenitic stainless steel,
comprising the steps of:
preparing a steel material having a chemical composition consisting
of, in mass %, c: up to 0.10 %; Si: up to 1.0 %; Mn: not less than 3.0 % and
less than 7.0 %; Cr: 15 to 30 %; Ni: not less than 12.0% and less than 17.0 %;
AI: up to 0.10 %; N: 0.10 to 0.50 %; p: up to 0.050 %; s: up to 0.050 %; at least
one ofV: 0.01 to 1.0% and Nb: 0.01 to 0.50 %; Mo: 0 to 3.0 %; w: 0 to 6.0 %;
Ti: 0 to 0.5 %; Zr: 0 to 0.5 %; Hf: 0 to 0.3 %; Ta: 0 to 0.6 %; B: 0 to 0.020 %; Cu:
0 to 5.0 %; Co: 0 to 10.0 %; Mg: 0 to 0.0050 %; Ca: 0 to 0.0050 %; La: 0 to
0.20 %; Ce: 0 to 0.20 %; Y: 0 to 0.40 %; Sm: 0 to 0.40 %; Pr: 0 to 0.40 %; Nd: 0
to 0.50 %; and the balance being Fe and impurities;
performing a solution treatment on the steel material at a solution
treatment temperature of 1000 to 1200 oc;
cold working the steel material that has undergone the solution
treatment with a reduction in area that is not lower than 20 %;
performing a heat treatment on the steel material that has been cold working the steel material that has undergone the heat
treatment with a reduction in area that is not lower than 10% and lower
than 65%.