Effect of addition of V and C on strain recovery characteristics in Fe–Mn–Si alloy

Shape recoverable strain, recovery stress and low-temperature stress relaxation characteristics in an Fe–17Mn–5Si–10Cr–4Ni (0.08C) alloy and an Fe–17Mn–2Cr–5Si–2Ni–1V (0.23C) alloy have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and measurement of recoverable strain and recovery stress. The amount of stress-induced ɛ martensite under tensile deformation at room temperature, recoverable strain and recovery stress are increased obviously with addition V and C in Fe–Mn–Si alloy, which is owing to the influence of addition V and C on strengthening austenitic matrix. Addition of V and C in Fe–Mn–Si alloy is evidently effective to reduce the degree of low-temperature stress relaxation, for the dispersed VC particles 50–180 nm in size precipitated during annealing restrain the stress induced martensitic transformation.