VOLUME 54

ISSUE 2
of Achievements in Materials October
and Manufacturing Engineering 2012

Microstructural study on retained

austenite in advanced high-strength
multiphase 3Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al
steels
A. Grajcar*, W. Kwany
Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials,
Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
* Corresponding e-mail address: adam.grajcar@polsl.pl
Received 21.08.2012; published in revised form 01.10.2012

Materials

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the paper is to describe crystallographic and morphological features of retained austenite
in thermomechanically processed bainite-martensite multiphase steels containing 3 and 5% Mn.
Design/methodology/approach: Two groups of steels were designed and investigated: 3Mn-1.5Al and
5Mn-1.5Al were reference steels, whereas next two steels were microalloyed with niobium. The steels were
thermomechanically processed using the Gleeble simulator. The isothermal holding temperature to enrich
austenite in carbon was between 350 and 450C. Metallographic investigations were carried out using light
(LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The retained austenite amount and its carbon concentration
was evaluated by X-ray analysis.
Findings: Manganese addition results in the high hardenability of steels leading to bainitic-martensitic
microstructures. A high-Al concept and isothermal holding of steel in a bainitic transformation range allow to
obtain a high fraction of retained austenite as a result of an incomplete bainitic transformation phenomenon.
New complex bainitic morphologies like degenerate upper and lower bainite were identified using SEM. The
microstructure and retained austenite characteristics were correlated with the carbon content in phase.
Research limitations/implications: Further investigations (TEM, EBSD) to describe in detail the identified structural
constituents and the effect of Nb microalloying on microstructure and mechanical properties are needed.
Practical implications: The knowledge of the influence of the isothermal holding temperature on the
microstructure and hardness of thermomechanically processed steels are of primary importance for hot rolling
of these multiphase high-strength steels.
Originality/value: A problem of the stabilization of retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase
Nb-free and Nb-microalloyed steels with increased Mn content is discussed.
Keywords: Metallic alloys; TRIP steel; Retained austenite; Nb microalloying; Thermomechanical processing;
X-ray quantitative analysis

Reference to this paper should be given in the following way:

A. Grajcar, W. Kwany, Microstructural study on retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase 3Mn-
1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al steels, Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering 54/2 (2012)
168-177.

168 Research paper Copyright by International OCSCO World Press. All rights reserved. 2012
 Materials

1. Introduction
1. Introduction proceeds to quickly, what manifests by low ductility. In this regard,
the most reliable parameter of mechanical stability of J phase is
Austenite is a very useful structural constituent of advanced considered to be a product of retained austenite fraction fJ and
high-strength steels (AHSS) used in the automotive industry. Its carbon content cJ in this phase [5,25]. Other factors affecting the
ability for strengthening in many different ways offers possibilities mechanical stability of retained austenite are the grain size and
to obtain a unique range of mechanical and technological properties arrangement of particles as well as its strength and the stress state
of steel sheets used for different elements of a car structure. An [3,5,24]. It is related to the morphology of retained austenite (i.e.,
especially important feature of J phase is its ability to transform to blocky, interlath) and other microstructural constituents
martensite or to form twinned microstructures during straining. The neighbouring with J phase particles. Usually, an optimal mechanical
first one is utilized in low-alloyed multiphase steels containing from stability of retained austenite is achieved when it occurs between
5 to 15% volume amount of retained austenite, which are alloyed bainite of granular morphology [24].
with 0.1-0.25% C, 1.5% Mn and up to 2% of Si, Al, Cr and Mo in The amount of retained austenite and its carbon content
various combinations [1-5]. In turn, twinning is a main hardening (besides chemical composition) are highly dependent on a
mechanism (often together with strain-induced martensitic processing route, i.e., cold rolling and intercritical annealing or
transformation) in fully austenitic high-manganese alloys [6-10]. thermomechanical processing. The most important parameters are
The high ductility level required during technological forming the temperature and time of isothermal holding in a bainitic
simultaneously at high tensile stresses is obtained owing to a high transformation range. For example, on the basis of our earlier
strain hardening exponent resulting from a lack of localized works [4,25] on 0.24C-1.5Mn-0.9Si-0.4Al-Nb-Ti steel it was
deformation up to a large range of tensile strain. Recently, there is a established that the maximum fraction of retained austenite can be
obtained for the isothermal holding temperatures from 400 to
trend to increase a fraction of austenitic phase in a multiphase
microstructure at simultaneous increase of high-strength constituent 450C, while the maximum carbon concentration in the J phase
amounts (i.e., non-carbide bainite and martensite) at cost just equal 1.5 wt.% is present at the temperature of 350C. Below
slightly higher compared to conventional DP, TRIP or CP steels. 350C due to a high MsJ temperature, the largest grains of retained
The aim is to improve further the strength level without significant austenite located in a ferritic matrix transform to martensite. In a
deterioration of ductility. Different approaches include grain temperature range from 350 to 450C, the MsJ temperature has a
refinement, microalloying with Nb, Ti and V, TRIP-aided bainitic negative value, stabilizing retained austenite. However, there are
steels, ultra-fine bainitic steels and implementation of new very few reports concerning the dependence of retained austenite
processing routes, e.g. quenching and partitioning concept [11-19]. content on an isothermal holding temperature in
It is well known that the presence of austenite at room thermomechanically processed TRIP-aided steels with increased
temperature requires lowering its martensite start temperature Mn content. This problem in undertaken in the present study.
below 20C. Two-step heat treatment used for TRIP steel sheets is
the confirmation that it is possible to obtain some fraction of
retained austenite even for steels containing 0.2% C [1, 3-5]. The 2. Experimental
2. Experimentalprocedure
procedure
increase of retained austenite amount by increasing C content is
not a good idea due to welding limitations. In this regard, Mn The paper is a microstructural study on retained austenite in
alloying is quite often used at simultaneous decrease in C content thermomechanically processed multiphase TRIP steels containing
[12-20]. Different processing strategies of cold rolling and increased Mn content. The chemical composition given in Table 1
intercritical annealing as well as the thermomechanical treatment was designed with the focus on the maximizing of retained
enable to retain from 15 to 40% of austenite in (0.05-0.17)C-(4- austenite amount (increased Mn content) and obtaining carbide-
7)Mn steels. Sometimes, Si and/or Al are added for hampering of free bainite by low-Si high-Al concept [4,5,11]. Mo and Nb were
carbide precipitation. An interesting concept is partitioning of Mn used to increase strength and for grain refinement during hot-
to austenite during intercritical annealing of cold rolled initially working. Special attention was paid to the effect of Mn and Nb on
martensitic steel sheets what decreases Ms temperature a final multiphase microstructure. The Mn-Al ingots were
effectively. Additional factors fostering the austenite stabilization produced by vacuum induction melting in the Balzers VSG-50
at room temperature are size stabilization due to grain refinement furnace. Liquid metal was cast in the Ar atmosphere into a cast
and mechanical stabilization by increasing the dislocation density iron mould. Ingots with a mass of about 25 kg were forged at
in J phase [16]. It was proved that an intermediate strength- temperature range from 1200 to 900C to a thickness of 22 mm.
ductility regime between low-Mn TRIP steels and high-Mn Then, cylindrical samples 10x12 mm for hot compression tests
TRIP/TWIP steels can be achieved [12-14, 16]. were machined. It should be noted that all the steels have
Mechanical and technological properties of steel sheets with comparable concentrations of C, Al, Mo and Si. The difference
increased Mn content are not only dependent on the amount of exists between Mn and Nb contents and it is a basis for steel
retained austenite but the mechanical stability of austenitic phase designation (3Mn-1.5Al, 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb, 5Mn-1.5Al, 5Mn-1.5Al-
against strain-induced martensitic transformation is equally Nb). Moreover, the steels are characterized by high metallurgical
important [13, 14, 16, 21-23]. Austenite over-stabilized by C or Mn purity (low contents of P and S - Table 1).
does not contribute to the simultaneous increase in strength and In [15] it was found that 3Mn-1.5Al steels are characterized
ductility (especially important during drawing, stretching and by bainitic microstructure in the initial state (after hot forging)
bending operations) due to a lack of strain-induced martensitic whereas the steels with the higher Mn content have bainitic-
transformation, i.e., TRIP effect. In turn, when the content of C and martensitic microstructures. All the steels contain also some
Mn in retained austenite is too low the martensitic transformation fraction of retained austenite already after hot forging and air

READING DIRECT: www.journalamme.org 169

 Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Volume 54 Issue 2 October 2012

cooling what confirms the importance of Mn alloying for

austenite stabilization. A tendency to macrosegregation of Mn and
Al between middle and external zones of the as-cast ingots was
also found. The small microsegregation of Al and Mn between
individual structural constituents was also detected but it does not
seem to be a problem for the homogeneity of obtained structures.

Table 1.
Chemical composition of the investigated steels (mass content, %)
Steel grade

3Mn-1.5Al- 5Mn-1.5Al-
3Mn-1.5Al 5Mn-1.5Al
Nb Nb
C 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.17
Mn 3.3 3.1 4.7 5.0
Al 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5
Si 0.22 0.22 0.20 0.21
Mo 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.20
Nb - 0.04 - 0.03
P 0.010 0.008 0.008 0.008
S 0.014 0.005 0.004 0.005

The thermomechanical processing of axisymetrical samples

was realized by four-step compression followed by multi-step
cooling. Parameters of the thermomechanical treatment for 3Mn
steels are shown in Fig. 1a and for 5Mn steels in Fig. 1b. The hot
compression tests were carried out using the DSI Gleeble 3800
thermomechanical simulator in the Institute for Ferrous
Metallurgy in Gliwice, Poland. The specimens were inserted in a
vacuum chamber, where they were resistance-heated to a
temperature of 1200C. After austenitizing for 30 s the specimens
were cooled to a temperature of first deformation. The
deformation temperatures were 1150, 1050, 950 and 850C. The Fig. 1. Schematic drawing of the thermomechanical processing
logarithmic strain was equal to 0.25 at the strain rate of 10 s-1 for routes for 3Mn-1.5Al (a) and 5Mn-1.5Al (b) steels
each deformation step. Results of the four-step hot deformation
behavior as well as continuous compression and softening kinetics
Cooling path for 5Mn steels was very similar (Fig. 1b) except
were presented elsewhere [17,26]. It was found that combined Al slow cooling in a temperature range between 700 and 650C.
and Mn alloying leads to higher flow stresses and critical strains Namely, there was a constant cooling rate of 40C/s between
required for initiation of dynamic recrystallization compared to 850C and an isothermal holding temperature at the bainitic
conventional TRIP steels. The effect of Nb results in slightly transformation range.
higher flow stresses compared to Nb-free steels and retardation of Metallographic specimens were prepared in the plane
dynamic recrystallization as well as softening kinetics of consistent with the compression direction and corresponding to
austenite. Dynamic recovery is a main thermally activated the plastic flow of steel. For the purpose of retained austenite
mechanism controlling work strengthening during a four-step identification, etching in 10% water solution of sodium
deformation process. pyrosulphate was applied. Metallographic observations were
The present paper focuses on the evolution of multiphase carried out using Leica MEF 4A light microscope applying
microstructures obtained as a result of multi-step controlled magnification 1000x. Computer image analysis was used to
cooling. After the finishing deformation at 850C the 3Mn steel evaluate metallographically a fraction of retained austenite on the
specimens were cooled to the temperature of 700C with a rate of basis of five binary maps in 3Mn steels. Morphological features
40C/s (Fig. 1a). An important step of the thermomechanical of microstructure were revealed with the SUPRA 25 scanning
processing consists in slow cooling of steel for 50 s in a electron microscope. Vickers hardness of thermomechanically
temperature range of 700-650C. Next, the samples were cooled at processed samples was measured with 100N load.
the rate of 40C/s to the holding temperature in the bainite A fraction of retained austenite was assessed more precisely
transformation range (TB). The isothermal holding temperature by X-ray quantitative analysis. Samples for XRD were ground
was 450, 400, 350C and the holding time (tB) was constant, 300 s. using standard metallographic techniques with SiC carbide
Finally, the samples were cooled slowly to room temperature. grinding papers through 1200 grit followed by polishing using

170 Research paper A. Grajcar, W. Kwany

 Materials

a 3 m diamond suspension. X-ray diffraction was performed partitioning between bainitic ferrite and austenite is of primary
with filtered cobalt radiation and an X-pert PRO diffractometer importance.
operating at 40 kV and 30 mA, equipped with an XCelerator Retained austenite is uniformly distributed in a bainitic-
detector. Three alpha and four gamma peaks were quantified by martensitic matrix and two morphologies of this phase can be
scanning trough a 2-theta range from 40 to 115 deg. To minimize distinguished in Fig. 2 - fine granules and interlath retained
the effect of texture, the volume fraction of retained austenite was austenite. The latter one dominates for the lowest isothermal
quantified on the basis of the integrated intensity of three pairs of holding temperature, i.e. 350C, where the bainitic-martensitic
diffraction lines using the Averbach-Cohen approach [27]. The microstructure has a distinct lath character (Fig. 2a, b).
positions of maxima of the diffractions lines of austenitic phase Determination of the volume fraction of retained austenite is a
(200J, 220J and 311J diffraction peaks) were used to determine very challenging problem due to its very small grain size and high
the lattice constant of austenite aJ. The expansion of this dispersion. The preliminary estimation of the amount of J phase
parameter is useful for determination of the carbon content in using a computer image analysis was possible only for 3Mn-1.5Al
retained austenite [28]: steel specimens isothermally held at 400 and 450C. A fraction of
retained austenite at 350C determined using X-ray is the lowest
aJ = 3.578 + 0.033CJ (1) for both steels. It equals to 13.6% for Nb-free steel and is 3%
lower for the 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb steel (Table 2).
where: Increasing the isothermal holding temperature to 400C
 results in a change of the morphology of bainitic ferrite into
aJ - lattice parameter of the austenite ( A ), degenerated upper bainite (Fig. 2c, d). It is better visible using
CJ - carbon concentration in the austenite (wt. %). SEM (Fig. 3). A characteristic feature of the degenerate upper
bainite is a lack of cementite particles, which are replaced by
Martensite start temperature was calculated using the well continuous or interrupted layers of retained austenite [29].
known Andrews formula: Interlath retained austenite has a thickness much below 1 m. The
total amount of retained austenite increased to about 19% what is
Ms 539  423C  30.4Mn  17.7 Ni  12.1Cr  7.5Mo confirmed by X-ray examination and computer image analysis as
(2)
well (Table 2). A fraction of J phase is comparable for both steels
and the increase of the retained austenite content with a
where: C, Mn, Ni, Cr, Mo - mass contents of the elements in the
morphology of fine granules is apparent (Fig. 2c, d, Fig. 3). Some
austenite.
fraction of larger blocky grains of J phase transformed into fine
martensite plates usually surrounded by films of retained austenite
(Fig. 3). Fine granules of retained austenite are in majority for the
3. Results and discussion
3. Results and discussion highest isothermal holding temperature applied (Fig. 2e, f).
According to the results of computer image analysis the amount
Force-energetic parameters of the thermomechanical of retained austenite is the highest at 450C (Table 2). However,
processing of investigated steels were a subject of a detailed X-ray examination revealed that a fraction of J phase at 450C is
analysis of the previous research [17,26]. It was found that the very similar to that obtained at 400C. The amount of austenite
new developed high-Mn high-Al steels have higher flow stresses determined applying the method of image analysis is probably
and critical strains required for initiation of dynamic overestimated. It arises from the fact that binary maps of highly
recrystallization compared to conventional TRIP steels. The dispersed retained austenite include morphological regions very
values of flow stresses at a final deformation step at 850C are similar to J phase areas that have probably undergone into
close to 270 MPa for Nb-free steels and are about 30 MPa higher martensite in the last stage of cooling. The etching quality of
for Nb-containing steels. Products of the phase transformations metallographic specimens strongly influences also final results of
from the pancaked austenite taking place during multi-step distinguishing austenite and martensite. This limitation is not
cooling for 3Mn-1.5Al steels (Fig. 1a) are the microstructures in valid for X-ray analysis, which results should be more precise.
Fig. 2. The steels are characterized by bainitic-martensitic The majority of fine grains of retained austenite has a diameter of
microstructures containing a small fraction of fine-grained ferrite about 1 m and they are usually located on bainite-ferrite phase
and some fraction of retained austenite. The realization of phase boundaries or are a constituent of bainitic-martensitic regions
transformations under conditions of accumulated strain in (Fig. 2e, f).
austenite results in a significant refinement of all the Steels containing a higher manganese content have higher
microstructural constituents. A morphology of a bainitic matrix hardenability. Their microstructure consists of bainite and
and the amount of retained austenite are dependent on the martensite lath packets containing interlath retained austenite
isothermal holding temperature in a bainitic transformation range. (Fig. 4). The identification of the morphology of a matrix and
All the microstructures in Fig. 2 are quite homogeneous and retained austenite using light microscopy is a difficult task due to
comparable both for 3Mn-1.5Al and 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb steels. a very fine-grained microstructure being a result of the
A small fraction of ferrite, which can be identified in Fig. 2, has a thermomechanical processing applied. However, the change of
morphology of very fine equiaxial grains but more often it is the morphology of bainitic ferrite is proved by the hardness
acicular ferrite. The maximum amount of ferritic phase does not increase with decreasng a holding temperature in the bainitic
exceed 5%, hence the distribution of carbon into austenite at this transformation range (Table 2). Morphologal details of the
transformation temperature range is marginal and the carbon microstructure can be better identified using SEM (Fig. 5).

Microstructural study on retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase 3Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al steels 171
 Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Volume 54 Issue 2 October 2012

a) TB=350C; 3Mn-1.5Al b) TB=350C; 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb

c) TB=400C; 3Mn-1.5Al d) TB=400C; 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb

e) TB=450C; 3Mn-1.5Al f) TB=450C; 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb

Fig. 2. Bainitic-martensitic microstructures containing fine-grained ferrite and a various fraction of retained austenite for the 3Mn-1.5Al
and 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb steel specimens isothermally held for 300 s at the temperature of 350C (a, b), 400C (c, d) and 450C (e, f);
B-M-A - bainite-martensite-austenite regions, F - ferrite, DB - bainitic ferrite, M - martensite, J - retained austenite

172 Research paper A. Grajcar, W. Kwany

 Materials

Table 2.
Parameters characterizing retained austenite determined by the X-ray analysis and hardness values for different isothermal holding
temperatures
Isothermal Martensite
Retained austenite content, % Carbon content
holding Lattice parameter start
Steel grade in austenite, CJ, HV10
temperature, of austenite, aJ, temperature,
Image analysis X-ray wt.%
C MsJC
450 19.72.1 16.9 3.61820.0048 1.22 -78 34513
3Mn-1.5Al 400 18.82.2 17.5 3.61880.0066 1.24 -85 38423
350 nd. 13.6 3.62020.0061 1.28 -104 41711
450 20.42.7 15.4 3.61430.0061 1.10 -22 37615
3Mn-1.5Al-Nb 400 19.51.8 18.4 3.61490.0045 1.12 -30 43510
350 nd. 10.0 3.61670.0066 1.17 -53 46921
450 nd. 14.4 3.60790.0045 0.91 12 45530
5Mn-1.5Al 400 nd. 13.1 3.60960.0065 0.96 -11 46028
350 nd. 10.6 3.61080.0039 0.99 -26 48927
450 nd. 10.5 3.60180.0041 0.72 80 46316
5Mn-1.5Al-Nb 400 nd. 11.2 3.60350.0056 0.77 59 50915
350 nd. 9.7 3.60490.0060 0.82 40 56029
nd. - not determined

The degenerate lower bainite consists of very fine, fragmented

martensite/austenite (MA) particles inside bainitic ferrite laths.
They can be apparent in Fig. 5 in larger bainitic ferrite laths. The
presence of intra-lath MA particles suggests that the degenerate
lower bainite is a product of incomplete transformation of
austenite which inhibits the formation of cementite inside bainitic
ferrite laths. This problem is more detailed explained in [29].
A bimodal distribution of bainitic ferrite plates (the fine plate and
large laths containing intra-lath particles) can be also associated
with the coalesced bainite. This process occurs when adjacent
platelets of bainite merge to form a single larger plate [19] leaving
cementite or MA particles as transformation products depending
on a chemical composition and thermal treatment parameters.
A fraction of retained austenite is lower compared to 3Mn
steels. It testifies that the hardenability effect of Mn is higher than
its efficiency as an austenite former. The amount of J phase rises
with increasing the isothermal holding temperature from 350 to
Fig. 3. Degenerate upper bainite containing interlath retained 450C and it is between 10 and 14% (Table 2). The austenite
austenite and fine granules of this phase in 3Mn-1.5Al steel amount is higher for Nb-free steel. The microstructures of the
isothermally held at 400C; DB - bainitic ferrite, M - martensite, 5Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al-Nb are very similar (Fig. 4c, d).
J - retained austenite However, the number of martensite areas is higher for the steel
microalloyed with Nb.
Figure 5 is a typical example of the microstructure observed The analysis of diffraction patterns allowed not only to assess
in 5Mn steels. The micrograph obtained for the 5Mn-1.5Al steel a volume fraction of an austenitic phase but to determine the
held isothermally at 400C is a mixture of degenerate upper lattice constant of austenite and its resulting carbon content
bainite and degenerate lower bainite. This bainite morphology is (Table 2). Selected X-ray diffraction patterns for 3Mn and 5Mn
beyond classification based on conventional concepts due to the steels are shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Four J phase diffraction lines
incomplete austenite transformation phenomenon, often observed can be identified. Relative intensities of individual diffraction
for steels alloyed with silicon and aluminium [29,30]. The bainitic peaks indicate that the specimens are characterized by the
ferrite with interlath retained austenite (degenerate upper bainite) preferred crystallographic orientation as a result of the final
is a main microstructural constituent both for the Nb-free and Nb- deformation below the recrystallization temperature of austenite.
microalloyed steels held at 450C, whereas the degenerate lower However, the importance of the texture behavior deserves to be
bainite dominates for the specimens held at 350C. undertaken elsewhere.

Microstructural study on retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase 3Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al steels 173
 Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Volume 54 Issue 2 October 2012

a) TB=350C; 5Mn-1.5Al b) TB=400C; 5Mn-1.5Al

c) TB=450C; 5Mn-1.5Al d) TB=450C; 5Mn-1.5Al-Nb

Fig. 4. Bainitic-martensitic microstructures containing a various fraction of interlath retained austenite for the 5Mn-1.5Al (a-c) and 5Mn-
1.5Al-Nb (d) steel specimens isothermally held for 300 s at the temperature of 350C (a), 400C (b) and 450C (c, d); B-M - bainite-
martensite regions, DB - bainitic ferrite, M - martensite, J - retained austenite

The value of lattice constant varies in quite a wide range,

from 3.6018 to 3.6202 (Table 2). It is clear that the highest
carbon content in austenite for all the steels investigated occurs
for the isothermal transformation temperature of 350C. It is
interesting taking into account that the highest amount of retained
austenite obtained at the temperature range between 400 and
450C. However, very similar results were achieved in earlier
investigated 0.24C-1.5Mn-0.9Si-0.4Al-Nb-Ti and 0.43-1.5Mn-
1Si-1Al-Nb-Ti TRIP steels [4,25]. Below 350C the carbon
diffusion decreases leading usually to rapid lowering an austenite
fraction. At 350C the carbon diffusion conditions are optimal to
enrich austenite in carbon but the strong driving force for the
bainitic transformation leads to a smaller fraction of retained
austenite compared to higher temperatures. With increasing the
isothermal holding temperature the diffusion rate of C increases
and the enrichment of austenite in carbon is easier. However, the
lattice parameter of austenite and its corresponding carbon content
Fig. 5. A mixture of the degenerate upper bainite and degenerate decrease slightly what can be a result of the initiation of
lower bainite in the 5Mn-1.5Al steel isothermally held at 400C precipitation processes associated to carbon clustering [31].

174 Research paper A. Grajcar, W. Kwany

 Materials

temperature for the steels with a lower Mn content. The

martensite start temperature for the steels containing 5% Mn is
higher. It is a direct result of the lower carbon concentration in
austenite (below 1wt.% - Table 2). The carbon content in retained
austenite in carbide-free bainitic steels is determined by T0
temperature, where austenite and ferrite of the same composition
have identical free energies [30,32,33]. According to Takahashi
and Bhadeshia [33] manganese lowers the T0 temperature and a
resulting carbon concentration in austenite. Their theory was
confirmed by the results of Sugimoto et al. [32]. They reported
that the carbon concentration in retained austenite decreases
continuously from 1.53 to 1.13 wt.% with increasing the Mn
content from 1 to 2.5 wt.%. The higher Mn concentration in the
present steels leads to lower carbon contents in retained J phase
(Table 2). The carbon content is enough to lower the martensite
start temperature below room temperature and subsequently to
stabilize retained austenite in 3Mn-1.5Al and 3Mn-1.5Al-Nb
steels. The martensite start is also lower than room temperature
for 5Mn-1.5Al steel. However, the opposite is true for 5Mn-
1.5Al-Nb steel indicating the destabilizing effect of niobium
microalloying on retained austenite. The similar effect can be
observed when 3Mn steels are compared (Table 2). It is probably
due to niobium carbonitride precipitation but it requires further
research with transmission electron microscopy. Some martensite
regions in the microstructure of 5Mn-1.5Al-Nb steel can be
observed in Fig. 4d. However, they occur locally also in the Nb-
free steel (Fig. 4a-c) and in 3Mn steels as well (Figs. 2 and 3),
especially as relatively large blocky islands.

Fig. 7. X-ray diffraction pattern for the isothermal holding

temperature of 450C for the 5Mn-1.5Al steel

Fig. 6. X-ray diffraction patterns for various isothermal holding Hardness results correspond well with the microstructures
temperatures of the thermomechanical processing for the 3Mn- obtained for a different isothermal holding temperature in the
1.5Al steel bainitic transformation range (Table 2). Hardness of the steels
containing 5% Mn is about 100 HV higher compared to 3Mn
At the temperature range between 400 and 450C the carbon steels. Additionally, Nb-microalloyed steels are characterized by
content in austenite is still enough to stabilize a high fraction of significantly higher hardness compared to Nb-free steels because
retained austenite (Table 2), what is also supported by decreasing of the complex effects of higher grain refinement, precipitation of
the bainitic transformation driving force. Nb(C,N) and the higher hardenability due to Nb dissolved in
The presence of retained austenite can be also well explained austenite. Hardness values decrease with increasing the isothermal
with the help of the calculated temperatures of martensite start for holding temperature due to a change of the morhology of a matrix
retained austenite quoted in Table 2. They are below room and the increase of the amount of retained austenite.

Microstructural study on retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase 3Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al steels 175
 Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Volume 54 Issue 2 October 2012

4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions [7] T. Bator, Z. Muskalski, S. Wiewirkowska, J.W. Pilarczyk,
Influence of the heat treatment on the mechanical properties
and structure of TWIP steel in wires, Archives of Materials
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The research work was financially supported by the Polish tensile behaviour of manganese-enriched-austenite
Ministry of Science and Higher Education in a period of 2010- transformation-induced plasticity steel, Metallurgical and
2012 in the framework of project No. N N508 590039. Materials Transactions A 42 (2011) 3691-3702.
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Microstructural study on retained austenite in advanced high-strength multiphase 3Mn-1.5Al and 5Mn-1.5Al steels 177