Microstructure evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Fe–23Mn–0.3C–1.5Al TWIP steel during cold rolling

The effect of cold rolling on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Fe–23Mn–0.3C–1.5Al twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel was studied. The extensive mechanical twinning subdivides the initial grains into nanoscale twin lamellas. In addition, the formation of deformation micro bands at ε>40% induces the formation of nanostructured bands of localized shear. It is demonstrated that the mechanical twinning is notably important for dislocation storage within the matrix, as the twin boundaries act as equally effective obstacles to dislocation glide as conventional high-angle grain boundaries. However, the contribution of the grain size strengthening to the overall yield stress (YS) is much smaller than that of the deformation strengthening, which plays a major role in the superior work-hardening behavior of TWIP steels. A very high dislocation density of ~2×1015 m−2 is achieved after plastic deformation with moderate strains. The superposition of deformation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening leads to an increase in the YS from 235 MPa in the initial state to 1400 MPa after 80% rolling.