Research Progress and Application of High-nitrogen Nickel-free Stainless Steel

QU Qingbo; WANG Xingxing; SHI Jianjun; LI Huabing; WANG Qingchuan; PENG Yan; JIA Lianhui; CHEN Jinhu; LI Guibian; FANG Naiwen

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.011

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (8) : 94-106. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.011

Iron and Steel Forming

Research Progress and Application of High-nitrogen Nickel-free Stainless Steel

QU Qingbo¹, WANG Xingxing^1,*, SHI Jianjun¹, LI Huabing², WANG Qingchuan³, PENG Yan⁴, JIA Lianhui⁵, CHEN Jinhu⁶, LI Guibian⁷, FANG Naiwen⁷

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Abstract

In recent years, the research on functional high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel has attracted widespread attention. In contrast to traditional nickel-containing stainless steels, high-nitrogen, nickel-free stainless steel is produced by substituting nitrogen for nickel. This approach not only preserves the excellent properties of stainless steel but also significantly reduces the amount of nickel used, thereby decreasing reliance on this precious metal. The addition of nitrogen can greatly enhance the pitting corrosion resistance and improve the mechanical properties of stainless steel, making it highly suitable for applications in field of industry. Firstly, the research progress of high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel in China and abroad in recent years was reviewed and summarized, covering the research results of material preparation and performance optimization. Secondly, several critical research directions, including composition design, preparation methods, microstructure, and mechanical properties were elaborated. Additionally, the research on corrosion resistance and biocompatibility showed that high-nitrogen, nickel-free stainless steel performed exceptionally well in various corrosive media, making it particularly suitable for environments like marine and chemical industries. Subsequently, the shortcomings in the research on high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel were summarized and how to balance the nitrogen content with the comprehensive properties of the material was still one of the difficulties in the current research. Finally, it was pointed out that optimizing the composition and adjusting heat treatment processes to improve the performance of high-nitrogen steel were crucial strategies for achieving significant breakthroughs in its mechanical properties and processability, providing valuable theoretical guidance and reference information for the further research and application of high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel.

Key words

high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel / preparation process / mechanical properties / corrosion resistance / biocompatibility

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QU Qingbo, WANG Xingxing, SHI Jianjun, LI Huabing, WANG Qingchuan, PENG Yan, JIA Lianhui, CHEN Jinhu, LI Guibian, FANG Naiwen. Research Progress and Application of High-nitrogen Nickel-free Stainless Steel[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(8): 94-106 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.08.011

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (52475347); The Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent Support Program of Henan Province (254000510047); Key Research and Development Projects in Henan Province (251111222600); High-end Foreign Experts Introduction Project of Henan Province (HNGD2025026); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M740475)