Evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of medium Mn steels during double annealing

A double annealing process was applied to cold rolled medium Mn steel. The evolution of both microstructure and mechanical properties during the second annealing were analysed. Austenite reverted transformation (ART) was observed during intercritical annealing. It was shown that a complex ultrafine microstructure composed of three phases (retained austenite/martensite/ferrite) was formed and two types of morphologies were detected (lath-like and polygonal). Furthermore, a high volume fraction of retained austenite (22%), which was stabilized at room temperature, was the origin of a TRIP effect. A good balance between strength and ductility can be achieved by optimizing the heat treatment. The various results are discussed and some mechanisms are proposed to explain the observations. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.