The influence of Cr and N additions on the mechanical properties of FeMnC steels

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. A, Physical metallurgy and materials science Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 520 - 528
• Main Authors: BRACKE, Lieven, JAN PENNING, AKDUT, Nuri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.03.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Iron alloys; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Steel; Mechanical properties; Steel
• ISSN: 1073-5623; 1543-1940
• DOI: 10.1007/s11661-006-9084-3

The influence of Cr and N additions on the mechanical properties of austenitic Fe-Mn-Cr-C-N alloys was studied. The ductility and the strain-hardening behavior were investigated in detail, because these alloys may potentially be used for crash-relevant automotive body parts. It was found that Cr and low N additions to a Fe-18Mn-0.25C alloy resulted in a higher ductility and a reduced strain hardening. Increasing the N content up to 0.22 mass pet resulted in a further increase of ductility and a more favorable strain-hardening behavior. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that the strain-hardening behavior was linked to the presence of strain-induced martensite and mechanical twinning. The analysis of the mechanical properties and the micro structure clearly demonstrates that, in the Fe-Mn-Cr-C-N system, both N additions and combined N and Cr additions increase the stacking fault energy. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]