In Situ Observation of Solidification Process of AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel

The solidification process of AISI 304 stainless steel during cooling at a rate of 0.05 K/s has been observed in situ using a confocal scanning laser microscope(CSLM).The results show that the δ phase appeared first in liquid steel,as the temperature decreased,the γ phase precipitated prior at δ-grain boundary at 1452.2℃,the liquid steel disappeared at 1431.3℃,and then theγphase precipitated on the δ ferrite.Based on the Scheil-GulliVer solidification model,the solidification processes of AISI 304 stainless steel are simulated using the Scheil model in Thermo-Calc.and the simulation results agree well with the results observed in the experiment.