Influence of Size on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an AISI 304L Stainless Steel – A Comparison between Bulk and Fibers

Abstract

This chapter deals with the study of mechanical properties and microstructural features of an AISI 304L stainless steel in two presentations: bulk and fiber form. Investigation was made in order to establish the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties, as well as the influence of the fabrication process and the sample size. The microstructural and mechanical characterization of the products is presented and discussed. Different techniques, namely XRD, SEM and TEM, were used to assess the microstructure. The mechanical properties, specifically strength, Young´s modulus and elongation, were determined by tensile tests, Vickers microhardness and nanoindentation. The materials have been seen to possess different mechanical and microstructural mechanical properties, which are compared and analyzed.