High-strain-rate deformation behaviour of new high-Mn austenitic steel during impact shock-loading

The influence of impact shock-loading was investigated on the mechanical behaviour, microstructure evolution, and texture of a new high-Mn steel. The mechanical behaviour of the shock-loaded specimen was compared with quasi-static compression condition. A Hopkinson pressure bar setup was used to perform the high-strain-rate deformation. Continuous yielding was observed under both low and high-strain-rate deformation. The yield stress also illustrated a positive strain-rate sensitivity with increasing strain-rate. An obvious increase in the flow stress of the steel was detected at higher strain-rate. A strain hardening followed by a strain softening was detected in stress-strain curve after shock-loading. Electron backscatter diffraction also displayed the activation of strain-induced epsilon-martensite and alpha-martensite while deformation twinning was absent at high-strain-rate.