Transformation Mechanism of Undercooled Austenite and Deformation Behavior of a 1.2 GPa High-Strength Medium Mn Steel

In this study, the phase transformation mechanism during the decomposition of undercooled austenite and its effect on the deformation behavior of a high-strength medium Mn steel were studied. The results indicate that the austenite formation during heating (α → γ) is a relatively fast reaction. Howe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ying Dong, Jiachen Xu, Lingming Meng, Qinghao Miao, Haobo Cui, Jiaxin Chen, Yu Du, Tao Liu, Qingdong Feng, Chengjun Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Crystals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/5/487
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Summary:In this study, the phase transformation mechanism during the decomposition of undercooled austenite and its effect on the deformation behavior of a high-strength medium Mn steel were studied. The results indicate that the austenite formation during heating (α → γ) is a relatively fast reaction. However, the transformation of undercooled prior austenite above the martensite start (<i>M<sub>s</sub></i>) temperature (γ → α) is difficult due to its high thermal stability. Only martensite transformation occurred during the final air-cooling stage following a 120-h isothermal treatment at 360 °C (slightly above <i>M<sub>s</sub></i>). The growth of martensite laths was limited by the boundaries of prior austenite grains and martensite packets. High-strength tensile properties were achieved, with a yield strength of 955 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 1228 MPa, and total elongation of 11.6%. These properties result from the synergistic hardening effects of grain refinement, high-density lattice distortion, and an increased boundary length per unit area. The composition design with medium Mn content increased the processing window for high-strength martensite transformation, providing a theoretical basis for an energy-saving approach that depends on the decomposition transformation of undercooled austenite.
ISSN:2073-4352