Formation of a Gradient Structure in Austenitic Stainless Steel AISI 321 by Radial-Shear Rolling

One of ways to increase the strength of a structural material is to grind its microstructure to an ultra-fine-grained state. But with the simultaneous increase in strength properties in ultrafine materials, there is an inevitable decrease in its plastic properties. The use of metal materials with a gradient structure is an effective way to solve the problem of increasing the plasticity of metal products in general. This work is devoted to the study of the possibility of a gradient structure forming in austenitic stainless steel AISI-321 using radial-shear rolling. The results of the studies showed that the UFG-structure extends in the bar from its surface to a depth of at least a quarter of the radius of the bar. The transition zone is in the region between 0.5 R and 0.25 R of the bar section. Anything deeper is rolling texture. Due to the structural heterogeneity of the cross-section of the bar, there is a smooth drop in the micro-hardness of the central zone of the bar by 10.2 %. All this testifies to the gradient character of the structure formed in bars of AISI-321 steel deformed on the radial-shear rolling mill.