Unusual grain-size effects on tensile deformation behavior of twinning-induced plasticity steel with low Mn content

In this work, the effects of grain refinement on the tensile properties, dynamic strain aging (DSA) and twinning behavior of Fe–16Mn-0.6C steel, which has relatively low manganese content, were investigated using a room-temperature monotonic tensile test, OM, XRD, EBSD and TEM. Results show that the yield strength, tensile strength and elongation of the steel increase with the decrease of grain size. Grain refinement can significantly increase the serration amplitude and local strain concentration of DSA, thereby enhancing the DSA-strengthening effect. The microstructure observations show that with the formation of plentiful twins, the twinning capacity of coarse-grained steel is exhausted prematurely at initial strains. Although the twinning behavior of fine-grained steel is retarded in the early stage of deformation, a large number of fine and dense twinning structures can be produced continuously at high strains. This unique twinning behavior and enhanced DSA in the fine-grained steel maintain the strain-hardening capacity of the steel, which delays the plastic instability and hence brings about simultaneous increases in strength and ductility.