Martensitic Transformation and Damping Behavior of Fe-Mn-Nb Damping Alloys

In the present study, the microstructure, martensitic transformation and damping characteristics of Fe-17Mn-xNb (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 wt. %) alloys were investigated. Nb addition leads to the variation in both the volume fraction and the size of ε martensite, in addition, the formation of Fe 2 (Nb, Mn) precipitates. The martensitic transformation exhibits a tiny dependence on the content of Nb. The addition of Nb helps to enhance the damping capacity of Fe-17Mn. The maximum value of tan δ = 0.054 is achieved in Fe-17Mn-1Nb alloy, which is increased by 42% over Fe-17Mn. The damping mechanism caused by adding Nb is discussed in terms of the volume fraction and the size of ε martensite. Besides, the role of Fe 2 (Nb, Mn) is also taken into account.