What heat treatment is required for stainless steel deep-drawn basins

The heat treatment for stainless steel deep-drawn basins typically requires selecting appropriate processes based on the type of stainless steel. Common types and treatment methods are as follows:

Austenitic stainless steel deep-drawn basins:

Solution treatment: Heat the stainless steel deep-drawn basin to the solution temperature (usually 950~1150°C) to dissolve and transform carbides and martensite formed during cold working into austenite. Then, select cooling methods such as air cooling, water cooling, or air quenching based on different chromium and carbon contents. Solution treatment can reduce the formation of grain boundary carbides and improve the corrosion resistance and plasticity of stainless steel.

Stress-relief annealing: Eliminate residual internal stresses caused during cold working. Generally, heat to 275~450°C and hold for 0.5~2 hours to improve mechanical properties and prevent workpiece deformation and cracking.

Martensitic stainless steel deep-drawn basins:

Annealing: Soften the structure for easier processing and forming. The heating rate should not be too fast, typically 150~200°C/hour. The holding time is calculated based on the thickness or diameter of the material (approximately 1 hour per 25mm). For full annealing, the heating temperature is 800~900°C, and the cooling rate should be as slow as possible, generally below 20°C/hour. For low-temperature annealing, the heating temperature is around 750°C, and continuous air cooling is generally performed.

Quenching: Increase strength and hardness. Heat the stainless steel deep-drawn basin above the phase transformation temperature, generally 1000~1100°C, with a heating rate of 150~200°C/hour. The holding time is calculated based on the thickness or diameter of the material, approximately 1 hour per 25mm. Then, rapidly cool in a quenching agent.

Tempering: Improve toughness and eliminate internal stresses. Heat the quenched stainless steel deep-drawn basin to an appropriate temperature and hold for a period of time, then cool as required.

Ferritic stainless steel deep-drawn basins:

Annealing treatment: Eliminate internal stresses for further processing. The heating temperature should not be too high, and the maximum annealing temperature generally does not exceed 850°C.