Optimizing the stress rupture properties of AISI type 316 stainless steel with the aid of computers

Stress rupture data on AISI Type 316 stainless steel with known compositions have been extensively collected. A computer programme has been developed which can select and plot data within any composition range. The computer programme is used to examine the effect of composition on the stress rupture properties of Type 316 steel. The analysis confirms that low carbon and high boron are beneficial to creep ductility, whereas high boron and high nitrogen are beneficial to stress rupture strength. It was shown that good stress rupture properties can be achieved by restricting carbon from 0.03 to 0.06 wt%, boron from 20 to 50 ppm and nitrogen from 0.04 to 0.07 wt%. The data bank collected can also be used to predict the stress rupture properties of any cast of Type 316 stainless steel with known compositions and in the solution-treated condition prior to service. This may be useful in remaining life assessment of power plant components when accurate prediction of stress rupture properties is required. © 1981.