Unique serrated flow dependence of critical stress in a hot-rolled Fe-Mn-Al-C steel

We describe here an intriguing and unique serrated flow behavior in a hot-rolled Fe-11Mn-4Al-0.2C transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel, subjected to an optimized quenching and tempering (Q&T) treatment. The optimized Q&T treatment produced a ferrite austenite microstructure that was characterized by serrated flow during tensile straining. The serrated behavior is attributed to a discontinuous TRIP effect involving stress relaxation and transfer during deformation with consequent enhancement in ductility. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.