ELECTROPLASTIC EFFECT OF HIGH MANGANESE AUSTENITIC STEEL

The article presents the results of the investigations performed on high manganese austenitic steel which underwent the test of uniaxial tension, with the application of electric current impulses. The application of low voltage impulse alternating current of high intensity during the plastic deformation of the examined steel caused the occurrence of the electroplastic effect, which changed the shape of the stress-strain curve. A drop of flow stress and elongation of the tested material was observed in the case of the application of electric current impulses, in respect of the material stretched without such impulses and stretched at an elevated temperature. The analysis of the morphology of the fractures showed differences between the samples tested under the particular conditions. An analysis of the alloy's microstructure was also performed under different conditions. The application of electric current impulses can have a significant influence on the reduction of the forces in the plastic forming processes for this type of steel.