Martensite Reversion Duality Behavior in a Cold-Rolled High Mn Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel

The martensite reversion behavior of a cold-rolled high Mn transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was investigated through an elaborate continuous annealing procedure. The dilatometry analysis was employed to ensure a precise heating rate (50 °C/s) control during annealing along with acquiring the critical temperature range of the martensite reversion. The magnetic measurement was used for α^' -martensite quantification through annealing, and electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were also performed to characterize the microstructure. The dilatometry results revealed the dual temperature ranges for the α^' -martensite reversion in the experimental TRIP steel; the reversion occurred in two separate temperature regions of 540 °C to 730 °C and 730 °C to 850 °C. Although the inhomogeneity in the morphology of α^' -martensite (lath type and dislocation cell type), which was detected in the ECCI image of the cold-rolled structure, might be responsible for the reversion temperature range broadening, the discontinuity of the reversion was mainly attributed to the partitioning of Mn from α^' -martensite to austenite through annealing. The microstructural characterizations indicated that the duality would also exist in the case of the martensite reversion mechanism. Accordingly, the reversion of lath-type martensite appeared to occur merely through an athermal mechanism, while the dislocation cell-type martensite might be reversed to austenite via both shear and diffusional mechanisms.