Chemical heterogeneity enables austenite stabilization in a Si-/Al-free Fe-0.2C-2Mn steel. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Chaofan; Liu, Chenxi; Guo, Hui; Sun, Shaoheng; Chen, Hao; Liu, Yongchang; Ding, Ran
• Is Part Of: Scripta materialia. Number 218(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Ferrite transformation -- Advanced high strength steel -- Retained austenite -- Chemical heterogeneity -- Mechanical property; Materials -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Metalen; Legeringen; Materiaalkunde; Metals, metalworking and machinery industries; Metals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2022.114822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6462

Abstract

Abstract: A chemical heterogeneity of Mn is introduced into the parent austenite of a Fe-0.2C-2Mn steel. The Mn-rich regions in the parent austenite is substantially stabilized by a promoted C partitioning during the austenite to ferrite transformation, without which these regions cannot be preserved as retained austenite. Following this strategy, a multiphase microstructure is achieved which presents a better combination of strength (ultimate strength of 977 MPa) and ductility (uniform elongation of 17.9%) as compared with that of other Si- or Al-added AHSSs of similar compositions. The results here suggest an alternative, yet a simple route, to acquire retained austenite in advanced high strength steels without the need of Si and Al alloying. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract