Local Nanocrystallization in a Cr-Mn-N Austenitic Stainless Steel Caused by Cavitation

Many nanocrystallized areas have been found with transmission electron microscope (TEM) in a Cr-Mn-N austenitic stainless steel after cavitation erosion. It has been found that the nanocrystallized areas were formed in the severe cavitation zone and the grain size was about 25 nm. A possible nanocrystallization mechanism is given.