Phase decomposition in a high-manganese steel

The present work deals with the texture and microstructure development in high-manganese steel X85MnAl29-9. It was cold rolled to 50% reduction and then aged at 550°C for various times. The investigations included measurements of texture, X-ray phase analysis and microstructure observations. The results indicate that, when ageing takes place, precipitation of κ' carbide in an austenitic matrix and carbide κ at grain boundaries occur. The existence of satellites suggests that (Fe, Mn)₃AlC carbides were formed within the austenite matrix by spinodal decomposition.