Effect of Deformation on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Bismuth-Containing Austenitic Stainless Steels: A Molecular Dynamics Study

ZW Chen and FZ Wang and GY Li and Y Fan and P Li and MH Liu and K Jiang, PHYSICS OF METALS AND METALLOGRAPHY, 126, 146-158 (2025).

DOI: 10.1134/S0031918X24601793

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of deformation on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of bismuth-containing austenitic stainless steel, and further explores its impact on subsequent tensile behavior. The study indicates that during the drawing process, with increasing deformation, the axial drawing force increases significantly, accompanied by grain elongation and refinement within the material and a notable increase in dislocation density. At the same time, bismuth nanoparticles have a significant impact on dislocation movement, microstructural evolution, and stress- strain distribution during the drawing process. When the degree of deformation is great, bismuth nanoparticles not only effectively hinder dislocation movement but also promote the aggregation and entanglement of dislocations. As a result, the local strength of the material is enhanced, leading to the phenomenon of work hardening and an increase in the axial drawing force. Additionally, bismuth-containing austenitic stainless steels exhibit different mechanical responses during uniaxial stretching after drawing, with the material tensile strength decreasing as the drawing ratio increases. The research results comprehensively clarify the mechanism by which the degree of deformation affects the evolution of the internal microstructure and the mechanical properties of the material, providing theoretical guidance for optimizing the tensile process of bismuth-containing austenitic stainless steel.

Return to Publications page