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Effect of transformation substructure on the strength and toughness of Fe−Mn alloys

  • Mechanical Behavior
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Abstract

Phase transformations in Fe−Mn alloys containing up to 9 pct Mn were studied by optical and electron transmission microscopy. Either equiaxed ferrite, massive ferrite, or massive martensite can form on cooling from austenite. The particular type of transformation product formed was found to depend on the alloy content, austenite grain size, and cooling rate. The mechanical properties of all the transformation products were evaluated using tensile and impact testing and are discussed in terms of the observed microstructural features. Yield strength and impact transition temperature were found to be relatively insensitive to manganese content but were strongly influenced by the transformation substructure and grain size of the transformed phase. In martensite it has been shown that the structural unit analogous to grain size in ferrite is the martensite packet size, which in turn is controlled by the prior austenite grain size. The fracture surface of broken impact specimens and the fracture profile were examined by means of electron and optical microscopy techniques. These fractographic observations were correlated with impact test data and microstructural observations of the various transformation products.

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  1. Physical Metallurgy Section, Homer Research Laboratories, Bethlehem Steel Corp.,, Bethlehem, Pa.

    M. J. Roberts

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  1. M. J. Roberts
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Roberts, M.J. Effect of transformation substructure on the strength and toughness of Fe−Mn alloys. Metall Trans 1, 3287–3294 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03037855

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