Investigations on diamond rotary rolling treatment induced gradient microstructure and its effects on mechanical properties

Surface and subsurface gradient microstructures play a significant role in mechanical properties. To obtain gradient microstructures, a surface strengthening method, namely diamond rotary rolling treatment (DRRT), was proposed in this study. Varied gradient microstructures in 316 L stainless steel were obtained through different DRRT processing parameters. The micro-hardness distribution along the gradient microstructure was tested. The resulting gradient micro/nanostructures in terms of grain size, dislocation density and phase transformation were characterized and evaluated with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The corresponding mechanical properties were investigated by slow strain rate test. The results showed that the DRRT could introduce a gradient hardening layer on the surface, accompanied by a gradient distribution of nano-grains, ultrafine grains, fine grains and coarse grains extending from the surface to the material interior. Besides, the gradient microstructure was associated with martensitic phase transformation, slip and dislocation. Compared to milled and untreated specimens, the DRRT-treated specimens exhibited a significant increase in yield strength and reduced ductility. Particularly, a well-designed DRRT process can enhance the yield limit while preserving higher ductility. Additionally, a quantitative relationship between the overall yield strength and the hardness distribution of the gradient microstructure was established. •Diamond rotary rolling treatment (DRRT) is proposed to obtain gradient microstructures.•Gradient micro-nano structures are characterized.•Appropriate DRRT process can enhance the yield limit while preserving ductility.