Texture evolution in AISI 430 Nb stabilized ferritic stainless steels in the "as-received", hot-and cold-rolled, annealed and stamped conditions have been studied, along with their formability. Two ferritic stainless steels (Nb stabilized) having a thickness of 3.0 and 0.7mm, were employed. The thicker one was cold rolled and annealed. The thinner one, with similar composition, was cold rolled at the steel plant and subsequently submitted to deep drawing. Texture has been evaluated using DRX for all conditions. The AISI 430 stainless steel, in the "as-received" condition presented a strong {100} texture in the <110> and <120> directions and the gamma fibre. After cold rolling the material presented stronger gamma and weaker alpha fibres. Annealing of the cold rolled steel conduced to the vanishing of the alpha fibre and strengthening of the gamma fibre, adequate for deep drawing operations. Although the AISI 430 stainless steel of 0.7mm presented a strong gamma fibre, other deep drawing properties were inadequate and the material cracked on stamping.
Ferritic stainless steels; crystallographic texture; cold rolling; annealing; drawing
