The microstructures of three steels with metastable austenite with mass contents of 10‐14 % Cr, 10‐15 % Mn and O.1‐0.35 % C were optimized by a simulation of the cavitation load. Results of cavitation tests show that the microstructure should be fine grained, to avoid the arise of cracks in the early stages. The materials were pretreated by a thermomechanical treatment. Criteria for a selection were the mechanical properties and the microstructure. According to the results a steel with mass contents of 13 % Cr, 10 % Mn and O.35 % C (X 35 CrMn 13 10) should have the best cavitation resistance. In this steel a deformation of 400 °C produces a dislocation network that forces a transformation of austenite to very fine martensite plates during cavitation and gives a smooth abrasion. The cavitation resistance of steel X 35 CrMn 13 10 in a pretreated condition is in the range of published values of a Steinte 6B, but the production of the steel is more versatile and less expensive than that of a Stellite.
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