The effect of compressive deformation of austenite on the Widmanstätten ferrite transformation in Fe–Mn–Si–C steel

The effect of different amounts (10, 20, and 40%) of compressive deformation of austenite on the isothermal transformation of Widmanstätten ferrite has been investigated in Fe–Mn–Si–C alloy steels. The prior deformation of austenite has a strong impact on the Widmanstätten ferrite formation. The results showed that the austenite with higher amount of deformation transformed initially at a higher rate. However, they also indicated that as a higher amount of prior deformation was applied, a smaller quantity of Widmanstätten ferrite was obtained after the isothermal transformation was completed. These results emphasized that the accumulated strain in austenite matrix retarded significantly the growth of Widmanstätten ferrite.