Cryogenic austenitic stainless steels: Mechanical performance and strengthening mechanisms-A mini review

Austenitic stainless steels, characterized by their face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, exhibit exceptional mechanical properties at cryogenic temperatures, making them indispensable for cryogenic fluid storage, superconducting systems, and aerospace applications. This mini-review systematically evaluates their low-temperature deformation behavior, focusing on strengthening mechanisms, including the modulation of stacking fault energy and deformation-induced martensitic transformation. While conventional processing methods often trade toughness for strength, advanced approaches—including high-entropy alloying, hierarchical grain architecture, and additive manufacturing—offer pathways to circumvent these limitations. We critically analyze performance in extreme environments, highlighting persistent challenges such as low-temperature embrittlement and degradation of oxidation resistance. The review concludes with perspectives on compositional innovation and process advancements to broaden the scope of cryogenic-grade austenitic steels.