The effects of austenitizing, cold rolling and aging conditions on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistivity and microstructure of 17-7 PH stainless steel containing 1.15%Al or 1.54%Al were investigated. The results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) When the austenitizing temperature was in the range of 750°∼825°C, no remarkable difference was observed in the mechanical properties of this steel after aging.
(2) As for the steels containing 0.73∼1.54%Al, a rapid increase in hardness took place in the early stage of aging, following which a slow hardening continued to the maximum hardness. While the increase in the Al content which promoted the hardness augmentation in the early stage delayed the peak hardness to be reached.
(3) An experimental formula for the relation between the Al content and the aging time required to obtain the best mechanical properties at each aging temperature is as follows: t = 5.144×(Al%)^1.476×10^10438/T-14
(4) In 40 wt% nitric acid solution (boiling), all the specimens attained a passive state and showed excellent corrosion resistance.
(5) In 10 wt% sulfuric acid solution (30°C), specimens which were aged at 400°∼500°C after austenitizing treatment for the duration in sufficient to get the maximum hardness or aged after cold rolling, attained a passive state and showed good corrosion resistance.
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