Stainless steel reinforcing filaments

Wire from the steel 18Kh15N5AM3 is discussed. It has the following composition: 0.16-0.21 percent C, 14.5-16.0 percent Cr, 6.0-7.5 percent Ni, 2.7-3.2 percent Mo, 0.04-0.09 percent N, 1.0 percent or less Mn, and 0.6 percent or less Si. Its high strength is achieved during drawing at normal temperatures by the cold working of austenite, the transformation of austenite into martensite, and the strain hardening of the martensite formed during deformation. The preparation of the high-strength wire involves the hot rolling of bars to wire rod 6 mm in diameter, the hot drawing of the quenched rod, water quenching the hot drawn rod from 1150 C, cold drawing the wire with intermediate quenching, tempering it at 450 C, and electropolishing the finished wire. The product has high strength (3450-4450) MPa and high heat resistance. It does not weaken after being tempered at 500 C for 4 hr or at 550 C for 10 min. Efficient composite materials having this wire as the reinforcing filament can be produced.