Metallographic, structural and mechanical characterization of a low-density austenitic steel

What is it about?

The effect of the Nb addition (0.25 wt.%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties in hot-rolling condition was studied in an austenitic Fe–27Mn–8.5Al–1C low-density (LD) steel, which was melted in a vacuum induction furnace and hot-rolled at 1100 °C in five stages with 87.5% RA related to initial area.

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Why is it important?

Results indicate that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was obtained by hot-rolling in Nb microalloyed LD steel with a grain size of 17 µm. Mechanical properties results indicate higher values for the microalloying steel of 390 HV compared to reference LD steel (355 HV). XRD results show that the austenite is the matrix phase and does not present phase transformations. Finally, EBSD results indicated that the recrystallized grains do not present preferential orientation.