Microstructure and texture evolution of cold-rolled low-Ni Cr–Mn–N austenitic stainless steel during bending

Microstructure and texture evolution of a low-Ni Cr–Mn–N austenitic stainless steel were analysed during three-point bending process. The electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterise the microstructural evolution with respect to two regions encompassing (I) near the inner corner and (II) near the outer corner. The fraction of deformation-induced martensite of either types (ε- and α′-martensite) was analysed in both regions. The region (I) possessed a considerably higher fraction of ε-martensite than that in the region (II). In the region (II), the fraction of austenite 60°/〈111〉 twins was increased. Moreover, in the region (I), the \(\left\{10\bar{1}2\right\}\langle \bar{1}011\rangle\) extension twinning was depicted in ε-martensite. The mean kernel average misorientation of ε-martensite experienced a trivial change with increasing bending angle after reaching to a saturation point. Upon bending, texture measurements of austenite returned the α_γ-fibre orientations with the dominant Brass component. However, a decrease in the Cube and S texture components was identified. The ε-martensite texture revealed strong intensities along the \({\left\{hkil\right\}}_{\upvarepsilon }\)-fibre. Besides, the α′-martensite developed \(\left(001\right){\left[0\bar{1}0\right]}_{{\alpha^{\prime}}}\) and \(\left(001\right){\left[001\right]}_{\mathrm{\alpha^{\prime}}}\) orientations with a trace of \(\left(113\right){\left[4\bar{7}1\right]}_{{\alpha^{\prime}}}\) orientation.