Micromechanical modeling of martensitic transformation in random microstructures

thermodynamic transformation criterion is used to describe the strain induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) in two different materials, namely in a dilute Cu-Fe alloy and in a low alloyed TRIP-steel. A finite element calculation makes it possible to evaluate the local stress and strain fields and to monitor the kinetics of the martensitic transformation. The degree of randomness of the austeniteʹs crystallographic lattice orientation with respect to an external load direction strongly influences the stability of the austenite against SIMT. The effect of the austenite grain size on its stability against SIMT and on the microstructure of the martensite is investigated. ~ 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.