Transformation mechanism of α′-martensite in an austenitic Fe-Mn-C-N alloy

The strain-induced transformation from austenite (fcc) into alpha'-martensite (bcc) in an Fe-18Mn-0.25C-0.084N austenitic alloy has been studied through transmission electron microscopy. It was found that alpha'-martensite nucleated in the intersection of two epsilon-martensite laths. Detailed observations of the crystal structures in this zone allowed the incorporation of the relaxation of the transformation strains by the introduction of retransformation partial dislocations. (c) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.