Multi-length scale modeling of martensitic transformations in stainless steels

In the present work a multi-length scale model is developed to study both the athermal and stress-assisted martensitic transformations in a single crystal of 301 type stainless steel. The microstructure evolution is simulated using elastoplastic phase-field simulations in three dimensions. The input data for the simulations is acquired from a combination of computational techniques and experimental works. The driving force for the transformation is calculated by using the CALPHAD technique and the elastic constants of the body-centered cubic phase are calculated by using ab initio method. The other input data is acquired from experimental works. The simulated microstructures resemble a lath-type martensitic microstructure, which is in good agreement with the experimental results obtained for a stainless steel of similar composition. The martensite habit plane predicted by the model is in accordance with experimental results. The Magee effect, i.e. formation of favorable martensite variants depending on the loading conditions, is observed in the simulations. The results also indicate that anisotropic loading conditions give rise to a significant anisotropy in the martensitic microstructure.