Structure and Mechanical Performance of 03Kh17N10M2 Steel Alloyed with Silver

The influence of silver additives in an amount of 0.2 and 0.5 wt % on the structure and mechanical properties of 03Kh17N10M2 steel sheets 1 μm thick has been studied. The steel has been obtained by means of argon arc remelting followed by homogenization annealing and hot longitudinal rolling. It has been found that when the silver content rises from 0 to 0.5 wt %, the strength parameters of the steel somewhat decline: σ0.2 and σr drop from 560 to 510 MPa and from 760 to 710 MPa, respectively, and the microhardness decreases from 274 to 250 HV. However, these values remain within the ASTM A240 requirements. In both cases, the fracture surface represents an ensemble of self-similar tough fracture pores (cups). The new type of steel (with a silver content of up to 0.5 wt %) may be efficient in the production of products with pronounced antibacterial properties.