• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.863-867
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• 2019

The effects of carbon content on the austenite stability and strain-induced transformation of nanocrystalline Fe-11% Ni alloys were investigated using X-ray analysis and mechanical tests. The nanocrystalline FeNiC alloy samples were rapidly fabricated using spark plasma sintering because of the extremely short densification time, which not only helped attain the theoretical density value but also prevented grain growth. The increased austenite stability resulted from nanosized crystallites in the sintered alloys. Increasing compressive deformation increased the volume fraction of strain-induced martensite from austenite decomposition. The kinetics of the strain-induced martensite formation were evaluated using an empirical equation considering the austenite stability factor. As the carbon content increased, the austenite stability was enhanced, contributing to not only a higher volume fraction of austenite after sintering, but also to the suppression of its strain-induced martensite transformation.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.1001-1004
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• 2020

We investigated the austenite stability and mechanical properties in FeMnNiC alloy fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The addition of Mn, Ni, and C, which are known austenite stabilizing elements, increases its stability to a stable phase existing above 910℃ in pure iron; as a result, austenitic microstructure can be observed at room temperature, depending on the amounts of Mn, Ni, and C added. Depending on austenite stability and the volume fraction of austenite at a given temperature, strain-induced martensite transformation during plastic deformation may occur. Both stability and the volume fraction of austenite can be controlled by several factors, including chemical composition, grain size, dislocation density, and so on. The present study investigated the effect of carbon addition on austenite stability in FeMnNi alloys containing different Mn and Ni contents. Microstructural features and mechanical properties were analyzed with regard to austenite stability.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.517-522
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• 2022

We investigate the austenite stability in nanocrystalline Fe-7%Mn-X%Mo (X = 0, 1, and 2) alloys fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Mo is known as a ferrite stabilizing element, whereas Mn is an austenite stabilizing element, and many studies have focused on the effect of Mn addition on austenite stability. Herein, the volume fraction of austenite in nanocrystalline Fe-7%Mn alloys with different Mo contents is measured using X-ray diffraction. Using a disk compressive test, austenite in Fe-Mn-Mo alloys is confirmed to transform into strain-induced martensite during plastic deformation by a disk d. The variation in austenite stability in response to the addition of Mo is quantitatively evaluated by comparing the k-parameters of the kinetic equation for the strain-induced martensite transformation.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.414-419
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• 2020

In the present study, we investigated the austenite stability of a sintered Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy. The volume fraction of austenite was measured based on the X-ray diffraction data of sintered Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys, which were prepared by high-energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering. The sintered alloy samples showed a higher volume fraction of austenite at room temperature as compared to the equilibrium volume fraction of austenite obtained using thermodynamic calculations, which resulted from the nanosized crystalline structure of the sintered alloy. It was proved that the austenite stability of the sintered Fe-based alloy increased with a rise in the amount of austenite stabilizing elements such as Mn, Ni, and C; however, it increased more effectively with a decrease in the actual grain size. Furthermore, we proposed a new equation to predict the martensite starting temperature for sintered Fe-based alloys.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.389-394
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• 2019

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of sintering process conditions on the stability of the austenite phase in the nanocrystalline Fe-5wt.%Mn-0.2wt.%C alloy. The stability and volume fraction of the austenite phase are the key factors that determine the mechanical properties of FeMnC alloys, because strain-induced austenite-martensite transformation occurs under the application of an external stress at room temperature. Nanocrystalline Fe-5wt.%Mn-0.2wt.%C samples are fabricated using the spark plasma sintering method. The stability of the austenite phase in the sintered samples is evaluated by X-ray diffraction analysis and hardness test. The volume fraction of austenite at room temperature increases as the sample is held for 10 min at the sintering temperature, because of carbon diffusion in austenite. Moreover, water quenching effectively prevents the formation of cementite during cooling, resulting in a higher volume fraction of austenite. Furthermore, it is found that the hardness is influenced by both the austenite carbon content and volume fraction.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2018

In the present study, we investigate the effects of milling time and the addition of a process control agent (PCA) on the austenite stability of a nanocrystalline Fe-7%Mn alloy by XRD analysis and micrograph observation. Nanocrystalline Fe-7%Mn alloys samples are successfully fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The crystallite size of ball-milled powder and the volume fraction of austenite in the sintered sample are calculated using XRD analysis. Changes in the shape and structure of alloyed powder according to milling conditions are observed through FE-SEM. It is found that the crystallite size is reduced with increasing milling time and amount of PCA addition due to the variation in the balance between the cold-welding and fracturing processes. As a result, the austenite stability increased, resulting in an exceptionally high volume fraction of austenite retained at room temperature.

• International Journal of Korean Welding Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2002

In the coarse grain HAZ adjacent to the fusion line, most of the TiN particles in conventional Ti added steel are dissolved and austenite grain growth is easily occurred during welding process. To avoid this difficulty, thermal stability of TiN particle is improved by increasing the nitrogen content in steel. In this study, the effect of hlgh nitrogen TiN particle on preventing austenite grain growth in HAZ was investigated. Increased thermal stability of TiN particle is helpful for preventing the austenite grain growth by pinning effect. High nitrogen TiN particle in simulated HAZ were not dissolved even at high temperature such as 1400'E and prevented the austenite grain growth in simulated HAZ. Owing to small austenite grain size in HAZ the width of coarse grain HAZ in high nitrogen TiN steel was decreased to 1/10 of conventional TiN steel. Even high heat input welding, the microstructure of coarse grain HAZ consisted of fine polygonal ferrite and pearlite and toughness of coarse grain HAZ was significantly improved.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2000

The present study aimed to develop the TRIP(transformation induced plasticity) aided high strength low carbon steel sheets using reverse transformation process. The cold-rolled 0.14C-6.5Mn steel was reverse-transformed by slow heating to intercritical temperature region and air cooling to room temperature. An excellant combination of tensile strength and elongation of $98.3kgf/mm^2$ and 44.4% appears. This combination comes from TRIP phenomena of retained austenite during deformation. The stability of retained austenite Is very Important for the good ductility and it depends on diffusion of carbon and manganese during reverse transformation. The air cooling after holding at intercritical temperature retards the formation of pearlite and provides the carbon enrichment in retained austenite, resulting the increase of elongation in cold-roiled TRIP steel.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2001

This research was examined the effect of intercritical heat treatment on the mechanical Properties and retained austenite formation in 0.1C-6.5Mn steels for the development of a high strength high ductility steel. using of transformation induced plasticity due to retained austenite. The stability of retained austenite is very important for the good ductility and it depend on diffusion of carbon and manganese during reverse transformation. It is effective to heat treat at$ 645^{\circ}C$ in order to obtain over 30 vol.% of retained austenite. However, it is more desirable to heat treat at $620^{\circ}C$, considering the volume fraction and mechanical stability of retained austenite. The strength-elongation combination in cold rolled steel sheets after reverse transformed at $620^{\circ}C$ for 1hr was about 4000k9/mm7, but it decreased rapidly with increasing holding time at high temperature due to the decrease of ductility. The addition of 1.1%Si in 0.14C-6.5Mn TRIP steel does not improve the mechanical properties and retained austenite formation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1999.08a
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• pp.356-365
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• 1999

The present study is aimed at developing the TRIP(transformation induced plasticity) aided high strength low carbon steel using reversion process. An excellent combination of elongation over 40% and tensile strength abut 100kgf/$\textrm{mm}^2$ achieved in processing of 0.15C-0.5 Si-6Mn steel by slow heating to intercritial temperature region and accelerated cooling into room temperature. This good combination is caused by TRIP phenomena of retained austenite in steels during deformation. The stability of retained austenite is very important for the good ductility and it depends on the diffusion of carbon and manganeses during heat treatment. The accelerated cooling after holding at annealing temperature retards the formation of pearlite and provides the carbon enrichment in retained austenite in steel, resulting in the increase in elongation of the cold-rolled TRIP steel. On the other hand, heat treating the steel at 600$^{\circ}C$ for 5 hour before cold rolling increases elongation but reduces the amount of retained austenite after reversion processing. It is accounted that the heat treating is effective for the increase in the stability of retained austenite.