Microstructural evolution of 316L austenitic stainless steel during in-situ biaxial deformation and annealing

Austenitic stainless steel 316L was investigated by a combination of in-situ biaxial straining and subsequently by in-situ annealing within a Carl Zeiss Sigma FEG-SEM. A Micromecha Proxima stage was used to impart biaxial strain on the sample, results were compared with macro scale testing to validate the method, and physical properties were established in close correlation to macro scale tests. Samples were subsequently subjected to annealing cycles using a Gatan Murano 525 heated stage to assess the influence of imparted strain on the recrystallization kinetics of the material. Following annealing trials the material was observed to initiate recrystallization around 100 °C earlier within heavily strained samples at 750 °C in comparison to 850 °C within unstrained samples.