How to Use Metallurgical Analysis for Fire Investigation: The Case of AISI 316 Stainless Steel

Abstract In this work, fire simulations were carried out on AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel sheets (similar to EN X5CrNiMo17-12-2), usually employed for the production of flue pipes. The thermal alteration induced by was simulated heating samples at different temperatures (from 20°C 1050°C) and exposure times (1 h 6 h) in a laboratory furnace. metallurgical investigation concerned surface coloring photographic analysis; morphology chemical composition oxides SEM EDS; microstructure as function temperature LOM. influence parameters discussed statistical ANOVA approach. obtained results allowed associate each one or more alterations color, assumed oxides, well steel.