Mechanisms of plastic deformation in light high-manganese steel of TRIPLEX type

In this scientific publication, research results of two newly developed hot-rolled Fe-Mn-Al-C (X105) and Fe-Mn-Al-Nb-Ti-C (X98) types of steel were compared. These types of steel are characterized by an average density of 6.68 g/cm³, a value 15% lower compared to conventional structural steel. Hot rolling was carried out on a semi-industrial line to evaluate the effect of hot plastic deformation conditions with different cooling variants on the structure. The detailed analysis of phase composition as well as microstructure allows us to state that the investigated steel is characterized by an austenitic-ferritic structure with carbides precipitates. The results of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tests of both types of steel after hot rolling showed the occurrence of various deformation effects such as shear bands, micro bands, and lens twins in the microstructure. Based on the research undertaken with the use of transmission electron microscopy, it was found that the hardening mechanism of the X98 and X105 steel is deformation-induced plasticity by the formation of shear bands (SIP) and micro shear bands (MBIP).