Microstructure and Plasticity Evolution During Luders Deformation in an Fe-5Mn-0.1C Medium-Mn Steel

The local plasticity and associated microstructure evolution in Fe-5Mn-0.1C medium-Mn steel (wt.%) were investigated in this study. Specifically, the micro -deformation mechanism during Luders banding was characterized based on multi -scale electron backscatter diffraction measurements and electron channeling contrast imaging. Similar to other medium-Mn steels, the Fe-5Mn-0.1C steel showed discontinuous macroscopic deformation, preferential plastic deformation in austenite, and deformation-induced martensitic transformation during Liklers deformation. Hexagonal close -packed martensite was also observed as an intermediate phase. Furthermore, an in -situ neutron diffraction experiment revealed that the pre-existing body-centered cubic phase, which was mainly ferrite, was a minor deformation path, although ferrite was the major constituent phase.