Hot deformation behavior of an austenitic Fe-20Mn-3Si-3Al transformation induced plasticity steel

Hot deformation behavior of an austenitic Fe-20Mn-3Si-3Al transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was investigated by hot compression tests on Gleeble 3500D thermo-mechanical simulator in the temperature ranges of 900-1100 degrees C and the strain rate ranges of 0.01-10 s(-1). The results show that the flow stress is sensitively dependent on deformation temperature and strain rate, and the flow stress increases with strain rate and decreases with deformation temperature. The peak stress during hot deformation can be predicted by the Zener-Hollomon (Z) parameter in the hyperbolic sine equation with the hot deformation activation energy Q of 387.84 kJ/mol. The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is the most important softening mechanism for the experimental steel during hot compression. Furthermore, DRX procedure is strongly affected by Z parameter, and decreasing of Z value lead to more adequate proceeding of DRX. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.