Effect of the twins on mechanical properties of AISI 304 stainless steel wire using electrical current method

Abstract

Electrical current process has been used in the thin plate metals and the fine wires because of its higher efficiency (rapidly recrystallization) and the advantage of avoiding oxidation without inert gas. This study investigated the transformation of twin structure and mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel after electrical current test by direct current. The results show the microstructure of matrix transported from preferred structure to equiaxed grains and a few annealed twins with increasing the current density of joule from 32 J to 188 J. The hardness of matrix remained stable under 83 J because of the number of twins increased, and the tensile properties were similar to the wire using furnace heating. After electrical current test at 188 J, the strain hardening exponent of wires was 0.44, was suitable to be used for cold work procedure. © 2011 The Japan Institute of Metals.