The Mechanical properties and microstructural relationships in iron--manganese--chromium alloys. [14 to 20% Mn, 13 to 18% Cr, Al and Ti additions

Abstract

The relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties were studied for a series of Fe--Mn--Cr alloys. A combination of optical and scanning electron microscopy, EDAX analysis, and x-ray diffractometry was used to characterize the microstructures. Tensile testing and Charpy V-notch impact testing were utilized to study the mechanical properties. Triplex structures of gamma (fcc), alpha (bcc), and epsilon (hcp) were obtained in air-cool and quench-and-refrigeration heat treatments. Increasing volume fractions of metastable austenite and epsilon-martensite phases, which transform during testing, were found to have beneficial effects on the toughness and ductility properties, without significant losses in strength properties. A chromium concentration of 13 percent led to a better combination of strength and ductility than a concentration of 18 percent. The mechanical properties and preliminary corrosion results for the air-cooled 18Mn--13Cr and 16Mn--13Cr alloys are comparable to those of AISI 300 series austenitic stainless steels. These alloys show promise, therefore, as base systems for replacement austenitic stainless alloys. In addition, the 18Mn--13Cr air-cooled alloy exhibits excellent cryogenic properties, i.e., a yield strength of 360 MPa (53 ksi), an ultimate strength of 1110 MPa (161 ksi) an elongation of 60 percent, and a reduction in area of 17 percent at -196/sup 0/C. 62 figures, 9 tables.