Microstructural and mechanical properties of FAST / SPS-compacted TRIP-steel-Mg-PSZ composites affected by the ball milling energy

A composite material provides the opportunity to combine the positive properties of two or more different materials. Thus, the composite material exhibits superior properties compared to those of the single components. One example, which is in the focus of research, represents a composite consisting of a TRIPsteel matrix (TRansformation Induced Plasticity) reinforced with Mg-PSZ (partially stabilized zirconia) [1-4]. TRIP-steels exhibit a high strength as well as a high ductility due to a deformation-induced phase transformation from metastable austenite to α’-martensite [5,6]. Furthermore, the Mg-PSZ is able to transform stress-induced from the tetragonal phase into the monoclinic phase. Thus, a volume expansion occurs, which is responsible for an enhanced strength within the composite material [7].