Retained austenite in low carbon, manganese steel after intercritical heat treatment

Abstract
To develop a high strength, high ductility steel, making use of transformation induced plasticity due to retained austenite, a 0·lC–5Mn (wt-%) steel was examined to ascertain whether a considerable amount of retained austenite is formed after simple thermal treatment consisting of heating, holding at temperatures in the intercritical range, and cooling. The amount of retained austenite passes through a peak with increasing holding time and is virtually insensitive to cooling rate. The maximum amount that can be retained is about 30 vol.-%. The ductility of the specimens tested is almost proportional to the amount of retained austenite. MST/1921