Microstructural and mechanical behavior of experimental Fe - 0.15 % C-15 % Mn steel subjected to different heat treatment conditions Mikrostrukturelles und mechanisches Verhalten von experimentellem Fe - 0,15 % C-15 % Mn-Stahl nach verschiedenen Wärmebehandlungen

This investigation studied the effect of different heat treatment routes on the microstructural behavior and mechanical properties of a high manganese steel. The 0.12 % carbon – 15 % manganese steel was manufactured from a commercial 1018 steel. It was hot rolled in successive stages until a 90 % reduction. The samples subjected to different heat treatment conditions were analyzed using conventional characterization techniques. The results showed that the mechanical behavior of the steel depends on the stacking fault energy but to a greater extent on the initial microstructure. The mechanical properties increased to tensile strength values > 1070 MPa and 70 % elongation when the steel was exposed to quenching and tempering treatment. The above was attributed to the twinning-induced plasticity mechanism verified in the zone with the highest load in the stress-vs.-strain curve and microstructurally evaluated in the deformation zone, where a completely twinned structure was observed. Nevertheless, martensite phases were also present. In contrast, when low cooling rates are used, the mechanical properties are not recovered. However, the hardening mechanisms and deformation-induced phase transformation are the same as hot rolling, quenching, and annealing conditions.