Effect of microstructure evolution on Lüders strain and tensile properties in an intercritical annealing medium-Mn steel

The influence of microstructural characteristics on Luders strain and mechanical properties was explored by means of altering thermo-mechanical circumstances in an intercritical annealing (IA) medium-Mn Fe-11Mn-0.09C-0.25Si (wt.%) steel. By IA of cold-rolled samples with severe plastic deformation, exclusively equiaxed dual phases were obtained because of active recovery and recrystallization. The equiaxed austenite ( $$\upgamma_{\text E}$$ ) with a larger size and inadequate chemical concentration was more readily transformed into martensite, and subsequent transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect was triggered actively at relatively higher IA temperature, lessening localized deformation. In addition, grown-in dislocations were prone to multiply and migrate around a broad mean free path for coarser equiaxed ferrite ( $$\upalpha_{\text E}$$ ) due to weakening dynamic recovery; therefore, it was the ensuing increased mobility of dislocations instead of reserving plentiful initial dislocation density that facilitated the propagation velocity of Luders bands and the accumulation of work hardening. In contrast, the bimodal-grained microstructure with lath-like and equiaxed austenite ( $$\upgamma_{\text L} + \upgamma_{\text E}$$ ) satisfactorily contributed to a smaller yield point elongation (YPE) without compromise of comprehensive mechanical properties on the grounds that austenitic gradient stability gave rise to discontinuous but sustainable TRIP effect and incremental work hardening. Hence, Luders strain is closely related to the absence of work hardening in the region which yields locally. It follows that the decreased stability of retained austenite, favorable mobility of dislocations and the bimodal-grained structure all prominently make up for the insufficiency of work hardening, thereof resulting in a limited YPE.