EFFECT OF ALUMINUM ON TRIP FE-MN-AL ALLOY-STEELS AT ROOM-TEMPERATURE

Fe-Mn-Al alloy steel has undergone many significant developments during the past few years, and it is considered to be a steel of high strength and toughness. Studies and test results have shown that Fe-Mn-Al is a good potential replacement for conventional stainless steels which contain expensive nickel and chromium additions. Recently, it has been found that strain-induced martensitic transformation at room temperature is possible in austenitic Fe-Mn-Al alloy. Further study has shown that the alpha' martensite can improve the mechanical properties of these Fe-Mn-Al alloys. However, as the aluminium content increases, the strain-induced phase transformation is inhibited. Moreover, the mechanical properties of these materials are very dependent on the aluminium content.