Strain hardening of novel high Al low-density steel consisting of austenite matrix and B2-ordered intermetallic second phase in the perspective of non-cell forming face-centered-cubic alloy with high stacking fault energy

It has recently been suggested that the extraordinary strain hardening rate in Fe-16Mn-10Al-0.86C-5Ni high specific strength steel [1] is due to the high back stresses arising from the strain incompatibility between austenite matrix and B2-ordered intermetallic second phase [2]. I argue here that the alloy matrix chemistry, particularly short-range ordering of constituent atoms, could be the intrinsic factor that affects the deformation and strain hardening, rather than the stress-strain partitioning caused by the microstructural heterogeneity. (C) 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.