Cooperative Deformation of Martensite Blocks Driven by the TRIP Effect in Maraging Steel
摘要
This study investigates a multi-scale ductilitizing strategy that integrates boundary-localized transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect with minimal lattice misfit at the precipitate/matrix interface in maraging steel. The steel consists of a low-carbon martensitic matrix with metastable austenite and finely dispersed coherent B2-NiAl nanoprecipitates. It achieves an ultra-high tensile strength of 1913 MPa and a uniform elongation of 8.0 pct (total elongation of 13 pct), outperforming conventional maraging steels. The improved ductility at such high strength is primarily attributed to the TRIP effect activated at martensite block boundaries. Strain-induced martensitic transformation at block boundaries enhances local work hardening, enabling coordinated deformation among martensite blocks of varying sizes, which delays necking and improves ductility. This work offers a promising design strategy for next-generation high-performance structural steels.