Stress‐Temperature‐Transformation and Deformation‐Temperature‐Transformation Diagrams for an Austenitic CrMnNi as‐cast Steel

Stress‐Temperature‐Transformation (STT) and Deformation‐Temperature‐Transformation (DTT) diagrams are well‐suited to characterize the TRIP (transformation‐induced plasticity) and TWIP (twinning‐induced plasticity) effect in steels. The triggering stresses for the deformation‐induced microstructure transformation processes, the characteristic temperatures, the yield stress and the strength of the steel are plotted in the STT diagram as functions of temperature. The elongation values of the austenite, the strain‐induced twins and martensite formations are shown in the DTT diagram. The microstructure evolution of a novel austenitic Cr‐Mn‐Ni (16%Cr, 6% Mn, 6% Ni) as‐cast steel during deformation was investigated at various temperatures using static tensile tests, optical microscopy and the magnetic scale for the detection of ferromagnetic phase fraction. At the temperatures above 250 °C the steel only deforms by glide deformation of the austenite. Strain‐induced twinning replaces the glide deformation at temperatures below 250 °C with increasing strain. Below 100 °C, the strain‐induced martensite formation becomes more pronounced. The kinetics of the α'‐martensite formation is described according to stress and deformation temperatures. The STT and DTT diagrams, enhanced with the kinetics of the martensite formation, are presented in this paper.     

Twinning Models in Self‐Consistent Texture Simulations of TWIP Steels

The high work hardening rate and ductility of high manganese austenitic steels is mainly attributed to the strong twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) effect found in the material. With a low stacking fault energy, mechanical twinning acts as a competitive mechanism to the more common dislocation glide. In order to understand the micromechanical behaviour of such steels, especially with respect to texture and anisotropy, constitutive models for twinning which account for the TWIP effect both in orientation changes and plastic behaviour are required. Using a self‐consistent texture model, we evaluate two twin modelling approaches in view of prediction of crystallographic texture. Tension experiments were carried out on a rolled TWIP sheet and the textures compared with the simulated results. The evolution of twin volume fractions from the two models is also evaluated.     

Multiscale Characterization of the Work Hardening Mechanisms in Fe–Mn Based TWIP Steels

When strained in tension, high‐manganese austenitic twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels achieve very high strength and elongation before necking. The main hypotheses available in the literature about the origin of their excellent work hardening include deformation twinning and dynamic strain ageing. In order to provide some answers, various experiments at different scales were conducted on Fe–Mn–C steels and the Fe–28 wt%Mn–3.5 wt%Al–2.8 wt%Si alloy. At a macroscopic scale, tensile tests were performed on all the studied grades. It was shown that, though the Fe–Mn–Al–Si based alloy retains very high elongation, the Fe–Mn–C steels properties are even more extraordinary. Tensile tests at different strain rates with the help of digital image correlation were also performed on the Fe–20 wt%Mn–1.2 wt%C steel to study the PLC effect occurring in this type of steel. It is suggested that supplementary hardening could come from reorientation of Mn–C pairs in the cores of the dislocations. At a microscopic scale, the Fe–20 wt%Mn–1.2 wt%C TWIP steel and the Fe–Mn–Al–Si grade were thoroughly investigated by means of in situ TEM analysis. In the Fe–Mn–C steel, the formed twins could also lead to a composite effect, since they contain plenty of sessile dislocations. In the Fe–Mn–Al–Si alloy, mechanical twins are thicker and contain fewer defects, leading to a lower work hardening than the other grade.     

On the Tensile Behavior of High-Manganese Twinning-Induced Plasticity Steel

High-manganese FeMnC and FeMnAlC austenitic twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel exhibits excellent strain-hardening properties due to the gradual reduction of the mean free path for dislocations glide resulting from deformation twinning. Serrated stress-strain curves are often obtained when this type of steel is tested in a uniaxial tensile test. This phenomenon is due to dynamic strain aging (DSA). It is related to the occurrence of localized Portevin–LeChatelier (PLC) deformation bands. The properties of the PLC bands were accurately determined for a FeMnAlC TWIP steel using a combination of high-sensitivity infrared (IR) thermographic imaging and optical strain analysis carried out in situ during tensile deformation. Strain rate jump tests were conducted at room temperature to measure the instantaneous and steady-state strain rate sensitivity as a function of true stress and true strain. Negative values of the steady-state strain rate sensitivity were measured in both upward and downward jump tests. These measurements explain why FeMnC and FeMnAlC TWIP steels have a limited postuniform elongation. A model for the room-temperature DSA of high-Mn austenitic TWIP steel containing C in solid solution is proposed.     

Application of a Dislocation Density-Based Constitutive Model to Al-Alloyed TWIP Steel

High Mn steels exhibit an exceptional combination of high strength and large ductility owing to their high strain-hardening rate during deformation. The addition of Al is needed to improve the mechanical performance of TWIP steel by means of the control of the stacking fault energy. In this study, a constitutive modeling approach, which can describe the strain-hardening behavior and the effect of Al on the mechanical properties, was used. In order to understand the deformation behavior of Fe18Mn0.6C and Fe18Mn0.6C1.5Al TWIP steels, a comparative study of the microstructural evolution was conducted by means of transmission electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. The microstructure analysis focused on dislocations, stacking faults, and mechanical twins as these are the defects controlling the strain-hardening behavior of TWIP steels. A comparison of the strain-hardening behavior of Fe18Mn0.6C and Fe18Mn0.6C1.5Al TWIP steels was made in terms of a dislocation density-based constitutive model that goes back to the Kubin–Estrin model. The densities of mobile and forest dislocations are coupled in order to account for the interaction between the two dislocation populations during straining. The model was used to estimate the contribution of dynamic strain aging to the flow stress. As deformation twinning occurred only in a subset of the grains, the grain population was subdivided into twinned grains and twin-free grains. Different constitutive equations were used for the two families of grains. The analysis revealed that (i) the grain size and dynamic recovery effects determine the strain-hardening behavior of the twin-free grains, (ii) the deformation twins, which act as effective barriers to dislocation motion, are the predominant elements of the microstructure that governs the strain hardening of the twinned grains, and (iii) the DSA contribution to strain hardening of TWIP steel is only minor.     

Stretch‐Flangeability of High Mn TWIP steel

The mechanical properties of austenitic high Mn Twinning Inducted Plasticity (TWIP) steel provide an excellent combination of strength and ductility when tested in uni‐axial tension. The performance of TWIP steel during some critical formability tests such as deep drawing, bulge test and cutting edge stretching has not yet been studied extensively. In this contribution, the stretch‐flangeability of Fe18Mn0.6C1.5Al TWIP steel and Ti Interstitial‐Free (IF) steel were studied by means of hole expansion test. In‐situ strain analysis and Infra‐red (IR) thermography were carried out during the test. It was found that TWIP steel, despite having a higher uniform elongation in uniaxial tension, had poorer hole expansion properties than Ti IF steel. Strain distribution analysis revealed that the hole edge deformed in a deep drawing mode which was similar to a tensile deformation. Away from the hole edge, the deformation mode changed gradually from deep drawing to stretch forming mode. The IR‐thermography of TWIP steel revealed a high degree of adiabatic heating which was absent in the case of IF steel. The crack associated with the edge fracture revealed a local temperature increase at the crack tip of up to 92°C. Two types of hole edge preparations were studied. A high quality hole edge finish resulted in a better hole expansion performance. The fractography of the crack plane surface of TWIP steel and Ti IF were also studied by SEM, and revealed a plastic failure mode in both cases.     

高锰奥氏体TRIP/TWIP钢的组织和力学性能

研究了两种不同锰含量的高锰奥氏体钢在室温拉伸变形过程中力学性能和组织的变化.结果表明,随着钢中锰含量的变化,实验钢在流变应力的作用下出现相变诱导塑性的TRIP效应和孪晶诱导塑性的TWIP效应.在1×10-3 s-1的初始应变速率条件下,锰的质量分数为23.8%的实验钢可达到666 MPa的抗拉强度和67%的伸长率,而锰的质量分数为33%的实验钢可达到540 MPa的抗拉强度和97%的伸长率.并且在10-3～10-1 s-1的初始应变速率范围内,实验钢的抗拉强度对于流变应力不敏感,而实验钢的塑性则表现出一定的应变速率敏感性.由于该钢具有较好的综合力学性能,有望作为新一代高强度、高塑性汽车用钢.     

Development in fundamental research on TWIP steel used in automobile industry

Abstract

This paper tracks the progress in research regarding the use of twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel in the automobile industry. The chemical composition of TWIP steel ensures that it has stable austenite and proper stacking fault energy at room temperature, allowing the main deformation mechanism (twinning) to work. The effects of alloying elements on the microstructure and deformation mechanism of TWIP steel are explained in detail, and their properties deformed under static and dynamic conditions are examined. The TWIP steel deformed at a low strain rate shows higher total elongation and strength. When the TWIP steel deforms under dynamic strain conditions, the stress, microhardness and the work hardening rate, all increase along with the increase in strain and the strain rate. The twin characteristics of TWIP steels deformed at various strain rates vary also and the twins generated under a high strain rate exhibit thinner widths and smaller interspaces compared with those formed under a low strain rate. It has also been observed that multisystem twins are able to generate and develop together. The mechanisms of toughening and strengthening in TWIP steels are noted. Finally, some potential application fields have been found for the promising material.     

Effect of Strain and Strain Path on Texture and Twin Development in Austenitic Steel with Twinning-Induced Plasticity

High-manganese (15 to 30 wt pct) austenitic steels exhibit extreme strain hardening because of twinning with increased strain. Twinning in these low stacking fault materials promotes retention of the austenitic microstructure and impedes dislocation motion. A dearth of information is available concerning the extent to which strain path influences twinning in so-called twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels. The present study focuses on the influence of strain level and strain path on texture and twinning in a high-Mn content TWIP steel (Fe17.2Mn0.6C). Electron back-scatter diffraction was employed to measure the twin fraction, twin deviation, twin boundary length, grain misorientation, and volume fraction of different texture components as a function of both uniaxial and biaxial deformation. This information, which is part of the necessary first step toward linking crystallographic texture and twinning to mechanical properties, was used to quantitatively assess the extent to which these critical metallurgical features depend on the amount of straining and the strain path.     

Study on the Strain Hardening Behaviors of TWIP/TRIP Steels

Due to the complex coupling of twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP), transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP), and dislocation glide in TWIP/TRIP steels, it is difficult as well as essential to build a comprehensive strain hardening model to describe the interactions between different deformation mechanisms (i.e., deformation twinning, martensitic transformation, and dislocation glide) and the resulted strain hardening behaviors. To address this issue, a micromechanical model is established in this paper to predict the deformation process of TWIP/TRIP steels considering both TWIP and TRIP effects. In the proposed model, the generation of deformation twinning and martensitic transformation is controlled by the stacking fault energy (SFE) of the material. In the thermodynamic calculation of SFE, deformation temperature, chemical compositions, microstrain, and temperature rise during deformation are taken into account. Varied by experimental results, the developed model can predict the stress–strain response and strain hardening behaviors of TWIP/TRIP steels precisely. In addition, the improved strength and enhanced strain hardening in Fe-Mn-C TWIP/TRIP steels due to the increased carbon content is also analyzed, which consists with literature.     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of High‐Strength Fe‐Mn‐Al‐C Light‐Weight TRIPLEX Steels

High‐strength TRIPLEX light‐weight steels of the generic composition Fe‐xMn‐yAl‐zC contain 18 ‐ 28 % manganese, 9 ‐ 12 % aluminium, and 0.7 ‐ 1.2 % C (in mass %). The microstructure is composed of an austenitic γ‐Fe(Mn, Al, C) solid solution matrix possessing a fine dispersion of nano size κ‐carbides (Fe,Mn)₃ AlC_1‐x and α‐Fe(Al, Mn) ferrite of varying volume fractions. The calculated Gibbs free energy of the phase transformation γ_fcc → ?_hcp amounts to ΔG^γ→? = 1757 J/mol and the stacking fault energy was determined to Γ_SF = 110 mJ/m². This indicates that the austenite is very stable and no strain induced ?‐martensite will be formed. Mechanical twinning is almost inhibited during plastic deformation. The TRIPLEX steels exhibit low density of 6.5 to 7 g/cm³ and superior mechanical properties, such as high strength of 700 to 1100 MPa and total elongations up to 60 % and more. The specific energy absorption achieved at high strain rates of 10³ s^?1 is about 0.43 J/mm³. TEM investigations revealed clearly that homogeneous shear band formation accompanied by dislocation glide occurred in deformed tensile samples. The dominant deformation mechanism of these steels is shear band induced plasticity ‐SIP effect‐ sustained by the uniform arrangement of nano size κ‐carbides coherent to the austenitic matrix. The high flow stresses and tensile strengths are caused by effective solid solution hardening and superimposed dispersion strengthening.     

Mechanical Properties of (20–30)Mn12Cr(0.56–0.7)CN Corrosion Resistant Austenitic TWIP Steels

New developed (20–30)Mn12Cr(0.56–0.7)CN TWIP steels developed from thermodynamic calculations exhibit great mechanical properties, such as high strength (1800 MPa UTS), deformability (80–100% elongation), toughness (300 J ISO‐V), and impact wear resistance equivalent to that of Hadfield steel. In addition, they exhibit corrosion resistance by passivation in aqueous acidic media. Microstructure examination by SEM and EBSD at different degrees of deformation reveals that twinning takes place and is responsible for the high cold‐work hardening of the steels. Stacking fault energy measurement of three different developed steels locates them in the range of 30–40 mJ m^?2, being highly dependent on the N and Mn contents. Measurements carried out with digital image correlation indicate that at room temperature dynamic strain aging or Portevin–LeChatelier effect takes place. Measurements of impact toughness indicate that the steels have ductile to brittle transition at cryogenic temperatures as a consequence of the effect of nitrogen on the deformation mechanisms, resulting in a quasi‐cleavage fracture along the {111} planes at ?196°C.     

Effects of Aluminum Addition on Tensile and Cup Forming Properties of Three Twinning Induced Plasticity Steels

In the present study, a high Mn twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel and two Al-added TWIP steels were fabricated, and their microstructures, tensile properties, and cup formability were analyzed to investigate the effects of Al addition on deformation mechanisms in tensile and cup forming tests. In the high Mn steel, the twin formation was activated to increase the strain hardening rate and ultimate tensile strength, which needed the high punch load during the cup forming test. In the Al-added TWIP steels, the twin formation was reduced, while the slip activation increased, thereby leading to the decrease in strain hardening rate and ultimate tensile strength. As twins and slips were homogeneously formed during the tensile or cup forming test, the punch load required for the cup forming and residual stresses were relatively low, and the tensile ductility was sufficiently high even after the cup forming test. This indicated that making use of twins and slips simultaneously in TWIP steels by the Al addition was an effective way to improve overall properties including cup formability.     

STT and DTT Diagrams of Austenitic Cr–Mn–Ni As‐Cast Steels and Crucial Thermodynamic Aspects of γ → α′ Transformation

The mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution during deformation of novel austenitic Cr–Mn–Ni as‐cast steels with varied Ni content were investigated at various temperatures using static tensile tests, optical microscopy, and the magnetic scale for the detection of ferromagnetic phase fraction. To summarize all knowledge about the deformation‐induced processes, the STT and DTT diagrams were developed for Cr–Mn–Ni steels. The diagrams illustrate the different deformation mechanisms depending on temperature and tension load, and quantify the elongation of the deformation mechanisms. The deformation‐induced ε‐ and α' martensite formation and twinning – the TRIP and TWIP effects – occur in the Cr–Mn–Ni steels depending on the chemical composition and temperature. The differences of deformation‐induced processes depend on thermodynamics and are confirmed by thermodynamic calculations. The nucleation threshold of γ → α′ transformation was determined for the investigated Cr–Mn–Ni steels.     

Development and characterization of high strength impact resistant Fe-Mn-(Al-, Si) TRIP/TWIP steels

Iron manganese steels with Mn mass contents of 15 to 30 % exhibit microstructural related superior ductility and extraordinary strengthening behaviour during plastic deformation, which strongly depends on the Mn content. This influences the austenite stability and stacking fault energy γ_fcc and shows a great impact on the microstructure to be developed under certain stress state or during severe plastic deformation. At medium Mn mass contents (15 to 20 %) the martensitic γ-ε-ά phase transformation plays an important role in the deformation mechanisms of the TRIP effect in addition to dislocation glide. With Increasing Mn mass content large elongation is favoured by intensive twinning formation. The mechanical properties of plain iron manganese alloys are strongly influenced by the alloying elements, Al and Si. Alloying with Al Increases the stacking fault energy and therefore strongly suppresses the martensitic γ-ε transformation, while Si sustains the γ-ε transformation by decreasing the stacking fault energy γ_fcc. The γ-ε phase transformation takes place in Fe-Mn-X alloys with γ_fcc ≤ 20 mJm⁻². The developed light weight high manganese TRIP and TWIP (twinning induced plasticity) steels exhibit high ultimate tensile strength (600 to 1100 MPa) and extremely large elongation of 60 to 95 % even at high strain rates of έ = 10³ s⁻¹. Particularly due to the advanced specific energy absorption of TRIP and TWIP steels compared to conventional deep drawing steels high dynamic tensile and compression tests were carried out in order to investigate the change in the microstructure under near crash conditions. Tensile and compression tests of iron manganese alloys with varying Mn content were performed at different temperatures and strain rates. The resulting formation of γ twins, ά- and ε martensite by plastic deformation was analysed by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The deep drawing and stretch forming behaviour at varying deformation rates were determined by performing cupping tests and digitalised stress-strain-analysis.     

Strain Rate Dependent Flow Stress and Energy Absorption Behaviour of Cast CrMnNi TRIP/TWIP Steels

Modern steel developments often use additional deformation mechanisms like the deformation induced martensitic transformation (TRIP‐effect) and mechanical twinning (TWIP‐effect) to enhance elongation and strength. Three high‐alloyed cast CrMnNi‐steels with different austenite stabilities were examined. Dependent on the austenite stability, TRIP‐effect and TWIP‐effect were found. A low austenite stability causes a distinctive formation of deformation induced α'‐martensite and therefore a strong strain hardening. The increase of strain rate leads to an increase in yield strength and flow stress, but also to a counteractive adiabatic heating of the specimen. Dependent on the degree of deformation, low austenite stabilities and high strain rates lead to excellent values in specific energy absorption.     

Study on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of High Manganese Steels with TRIP/TWIP Effects

In the present work, advanced high strength and high ductility TRIP/TWIP steels with different manganese concentrations were studied. The microstructures of these steels were evaluated prior to and after deformation and the mechanical properties of these steels were determined. The microstructure analysis indicated that both TRIP and TWIP effects appeared in the steel with lower Mn content, while the TWIP effect was the dominant deformation mechanism in the steel with a higher Mn content, with many deformation twins formed during the deformation. In addition, the forming limit diagrams of these steels were recorded and the results showed an excellent formability.     

Effect of V on Hot Deformation Characteristics of TWIP Steels

Twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels, which rely on high Mn contents to promote twinning as the deformation mechanism, exhibit high ultimate strengths together with outstanding combinations of ultimate strength and ductility. In terms of mechanical properties, one of the most important microstructural features is grain size. The knowledge of the kinetics of recrystallization mechanisms, i.e., dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and static recrystallization (SRX), can be used in order to control the grain size of the final product by a proper rolling schedule design. The focus of this work is the characterization of the DRX kinetics of two TWIP steels. The basic composition of the steels is Fe–21Mn–0.4C–1.5Al–1.5Si, and one of them is further alloyed with 0.12% V. With this objective, compression tests were carried out at 900, 1000, and 1100°C and strain rates ranging from 1 × 10^?1 s^?1 to 1 × 10^?4 s^?1. Furthermore, metallographic observation by optical microscopy (OM) was done to assess the evolution of grain size for the different deformation conditions. According to the results, the existence of V in the composition does not affect the hot flow behavior of the steel, although recrystallization fraction and recrystallized grain size decrease for the V‐containing steel.     

Cold Work Hardening of High‐Strength Austenitic Steels

Mechanisms of cold work hardening in three austenitic steels containing (mass%) 12Mn and 1.2C (Hadfield steel denoted as C1.2); 21Cr, 23Mn, 2Ni and 0.9N (Böhler steel P‐560 denoted as N0.9); 18Cr, 18Mn, 0.345C, 0.615N (CARNIT steel denoted as CN0.96) were studied using mechanical tension tests and TEM studies of substructure formed in the course of plastic deformation. Hadfield steel C1.2 reveals the smallest yield and ultimate stresses and elongation but the highest cold work hardening. Similar yield and ultimate stresses were obtained for steels N0.9 and CN0.96 with a higher elongation and cold work hardening for the latter. The analysis of TEM results leads to the following conclusions: Cold work hardening of the carbon steel C1.2 is mainly due to intensive twinning with rather thick twins. Localized planar slip is a feature of the substructure in the nitrogen steel N0.9 and carbon+nitrogen steel CN0.96 at strains up to 10 %, whereas twinning is involved in deformation at strains in the range of 10 to 50%. The strain‐induced ∊ martensite is rarely observed in both of these steels at strains above 30 %. The substructure and cold work hardening are discussed in terms of stacking fault energy, short‐range atomic order and binding between interstitial atoms and dislocations.     

Non‐Metallic Inclusions in High‐Manganese‐Alloy Steels

The possibility of applying new high‐strength steels with excellent forming behaviour (TRIP, TWIP and LIP steels) in automotive manufacturing is a significant potential for improvement in the area of reducing weight while simultaneously increasing crash safety. The present work investigates endogenous inclusions in some high‐alloy TRIP and TWIP steels because the most stringent product requirements are tightly related to cleanness. The expected formation of inclusions is discussed based on thermodynamic observations made with ThermoCalc. The solidification conditions were varied in experiments with the so‐called SSCT (submerged split chill tensile) apparatus. Furthermore, different treatment times were set in order to investigate this influence on the inclusions. A catalogue of endogenous inclusions in these new steel grades is currently being created with the help of the automated SEM/EDX inclusion analysis system at voestalpine Stahl GmbH in Linz. Further studies will follow to systematically determine the interactions between steel, slag and refractory materials.