Influence of Nb stabilization on the recovery and recrystallization kinetics of a ferritic stainless steel with soft magnetic properties for automotive applications

Usually niobium is added in ferritic stainless steels to avoid chromium carbides precipitation and then to improve corrosion resistance and to avoid embrittlemet. This study shows that a low Nb stabilization makes recrystallization nucleation much faster and prevents incomplete recrystallization. A qualitative interpretation, based on interaction with precipitates, is proposed and explains the main features of the softening kinetics as well as the microstructures obtained. Above a specific magnetizing frequency, the deformed state led to smaller losses than the recrystallized state. These results are believed to be attributed to a grain size effect. This leads to soft magnetic properties that makes 17%CrNb ferritic stainless steels a very interesting solution for the market of electromagnetic injection. Improving response-time of fuel injection valves is a great challenge for automotive industry in order to enhance car engine efficiency and to limit noxious gas emission.