Carbides analysis of the high strength and low density Fe-Mn-Al-Si steels

Abstract

The work presents the results of investigations into the structure and phase composition of newly developed high manganese steels of the X98MnAlSiNbTi24-11 and X105MnAlSi24-11 type. The average density of such steels is 6.67 g/cm3, which is 15% lower as compared to typical structural steels. An analysis of phase composition and structure allows to conclude that the investigated steels feature an austenitic γ-Fe(Mn,Al,C) structure with uniformly distributed and elongated α-Fe(Mn,Al) ferrite grains on the boundaries of austenite grains and carbides. Examinations by diffraction of back scattered electrons (EBSD) allow to conclude that high-angle boundaries dominate in such steels, having significant influence on mechanical properties. Three types of carbides with differentiated chemical composition and size were identified in steel X98MnAlSiNbTi24-11 with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. κ-(Fe,Mn)3AlC carbides, having a regular, face-centered cubic lattice (fcc), were identified in austenite. Transmission electron microscopy examinations have enabled to identify M7C3-type carbide in ferrite. Nb- and Ti-based complex carbides were identified in steel X98MnAlSiNbTi24-11, both, in ferrite and austenite. (NbTi)C2 carbide precipitates were confirmed in an X-ray qualitative phase analysis. The size of the above-mentioned carbides is within several to several dozens of μm. An X-ray qualitative phase analysis has confirmed the precipitates of M7C3 carbides in both steels.