Effect of Combined Warm–Cold Rolling and Intercritical Annealing on Microstructure and Properties of Fe–9Mn Medium-Mn Steel
摘要
This study systematically investigates the effects of intercritical annealing temperatures (600–700 °C) on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of warm-rolled and cold-rolled Fe–9Mn medium manganese steel. As annealing temperature increases, the microstructure transitions take place from lath-shaped to equiaxed morphology, while the austenite volume fraction first rises and then declines, peaking at 45.6% at 650 °C with a mixed equiaxed-lath structure. Dislocation density continuously decreases due to recovery and recrystallization. Optimal mechanical properties are achieved at 650 °C, exhibiting a tensile strength of 1434 MPa, elongation of 46.5%, and product of strength and elongation of 66.7 GPa%. The superior performance is attributed to the heterogeneous mechanical stability of austenite enabled by the mixed microstructure, which facilitates sustained TRIP (Transformation-Induced Plasticity) effects for synergistic strength–ductility enhancement.